PSU launches new online video series

  Tuesday, February 23, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Although they’ve both worked at Pittsburg State for several years, Kevin Bracker and Christel Benson had never met before sitting down to chat earlier this month.

“It’s kind of crazy to think about, really,” said Benson, assistant professor in the College of Technology’s graphics and imaging technologies department. “It’s such a family environment here at PSU, but there are some people whose paths never cross.”

Bridging that gap between individuals, departments, colleges and other various groups is the aim of a new PSU-produced online web series called Gorilla Chatter. Benson and Bracker, professor of finance in the Kelce College of Business, became formally introduced during the university’s debut episode.

“The idea behind the series is to bring people together for a casual but insightful conversation on the university experience,” said Jacob Anselmi, PSU videographer and producer of the series. “That could be faculty talking to faculty, staff talking to students or even administration talking to community members. We just want a candid, open conversation on a variety of topics.”

Bracker, who shared memories of his days as a college student during his conversation with Benson, said he enjoyed taking part in the debut episode.

“It was actually a very interesting, enjoyable experience,” he said. “Even though Christel and I had never met, it felt quite natural to sit down with a fellow faculty member and talk about our experiences. I had a great time.”

Benson said she appreciated the opportunity to participate in the series.

“I thought it was really cool to be asked to be in the very first episode,” she said. “When the University Marketing and Communication Office pitched the idea to me, I thought it sounded fun and enlightening. I look forward to hearing many more conversations like the one Kevin and I had.”

Anselmi said the university hopes to produce two or three episodes each semester.

“That’s the goal right now,” he said. “Some semesters it may be less, some it may be more. The key is making sure that each conversation is relevant, interesting and informative.”

The debut Gorilla Chatter episode and many more PSU-related videos can be viewed at youtube.com/pittsburgstate.