Film and Media Arts Students Take Center Stage
The Forest City. Home of rock and roll. Hollywood of the Midwest? Cleveland may soon have a new nickname, thanks to CSU’s new School of Film & Media Arts.
A standing-room-only audience was on hand for the dedication and ribbon-cutting of Ohio’s first stand-alone film school, made possible by a $7.5 million investment by the state. The appropriation includes $6.2 million for building out the space and $1.3 million for equipment.
Alumni, students, public officials and film buffs toured production studios, digital editing bays, high-tech teaching laboratories, soundproof stages, rehearsal spaces, a control room and more on the sixth floor of the Idea Center, the home of ideastream, Cleveland’s center for public broadcasting, and site of the film school. The site is contiguous to CSU’s Fine Arts campus in Playhouse Square. The University signed a 20-year lease with Playhouse Square for the more than 39,000-square-foot space.
“The character of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio will become more dimensional on the world stage as stories emanating from atop the Idea Center become better expressed and more broadly distributed by students who are hungry to participate in the $2 trillion global market in media and entertainment,” said Frederic Lahey, the school’s director.
Lahey praised Ivan Schwarz, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, as a driving force in helping to make the film school a reality. “The workforce you need is on its way,” he said.
The school offers CSU’s first-ever bachelor of fine arts degree with a curriculum focusing on six tracks: writing/directing, writing/producing, acting/directing, cinematography, post-production and interactive media.
Nearly 300 students are enrolled in the film school, built upon the Film, Television and Interactive Media program that’s been part of the School of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. That’s an enrollment increase of more than 30 percent in just one year. Over the next five years, CSU expects to double its number of film, television and interactive media majors while hiring new faculty with national reputations who have solid work experience in the film industry.
In producing the next generation of film, television and media professionals, the school emphasizes hands-on learning, including internships and mentoring, with ideastream, the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, the Cleveland International Film Festival and other partners.
According to Box Office Ohio: Analysis & Economic Impact of the Film Industry in Northeast Ohio and Ohio, 31 projects have received tax credit dollars from the state in the past four years. These projects had estimated budgets totaling $117 million, with an estimated $83.2 million spent in Northeast Ohio and $33.8 million in the rest of the state. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11 percent increase in job growth in film and video production by this year.
Scholarship Established
Thank you to Ageleke and Lee Zapis for creating a new scholarship fund to promote education in film and media arts at CSU. The Ageleke and Lee Zapis Film and Media Arts Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide annual financial support to junior and senior students in CSU’s School of Film & Media Arts and is the first scholarship created in the Film School.
“Ageleke and I want to support the next generation of storytellers and are committed to enhancing higher educational attainment for all. This fund will help talented individuals get the extra help they need to cross the finish line,” Lee Zapis says.
“Film and television production is a booming industry for the state and through this gift we hope to ensure that Ohio has the talented actors, directors and technical professionals necessary to further boost development of the sector,” adds Ageleke Zapis.
Lee Zapis, who graduated from CSU with a degree in communication in 1978, is the president of Zapis Capital Group and an active investor in early stage companies. Ageleke Zapis is a longtime entrepreneur and founder of ETIMI Outerwear, a fashion and lifestyle brand geared towards active women.
Also in This Issue...
Harlan Sands
President Harlan M. Sands rose from humble beginnings through the Navy, law, and higher-ed leadership. Now at CSU, he champions urban education and community-focused student success.
CSU Moving Forward Together
Noting that he has “always liked challenges with big opportunities attached,” Harlan M. Sands officially took on the greatest challenge and opportunity of his academic career – serving as president of Cleveland State University.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates presiding over CSU’s commencement, honors student success, and highlights the university’s growth and community impact in urban research.
Green Power
CSU is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.
Enrollment Grows Again!
Marking its 11th straight year of enrollment growth, CSU welcomed more than 1,950 first-year students to campus fall semester, as well as 30 new faculty members.
Treating Diabetes
A team of researchers led by CSU received a $1.69 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve treatment of type-2 diabetes.
Law Hall of Fame
Twenty-six leaders — including judges, alumni & public servants — were inducted into CSU's C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. A new legal tech lab also opened to prepare students for practice with hands-on tools.
C|M|LAW Tops Bar Exam
CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law had the highest passage rate for first-time takers of the July Ohio Bar Exam. The school’s 93 percent passage rate was well above the state average of 79 percent.
In Tribute to the Public Service
David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was honored with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 2018 In Tribute to the Public Service Award.
MakerSpace Fuels Creativity
CSU’s Dan T. Moore MakerSpace is officially open for business, enhancing Engaged Learning opportunities and helping produce “Ready-to-Go” engineers to meet industry needs.
Master of Influence
The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence at Cleveland State University launched with an inaugural event featuring Robert Cialdini, widely regarded as the worldwide expert on influence and persuasion.
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
Roland V. Anglin, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).
On the Front Lines Combatting Disease
Scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries by CSU faculty researchers are helping cure disease, improve quality of life and even save lives.
Record $1.7-plus Million Raised for Scholarships
Radiance, CSU’s annual fundraising event to support student scholarships, raised a record $1.7-plus million in 2018, bringing its seven-year total to over $7.8 million to help students who are a few dollars short graduate on time.
Why I Say “Yes” to Radiance
Mark Ross, managing partner at PwC, shares his thoughts on Radiance.
Homecoming
Were you one of the many alumni who came home to CSU for Homecoming 2018? For those that came from near and far, thank you. We enjoyed talking with you, sharing memories and showing you all that CSU has become.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
From a law man to a scientist and a hoops star to a poetess, CSU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the wide-ranging power of a CSU education.
Alumna Helps Free Innocent Man From Prison
A CSU alumna helped to secure the release of a wrongfully convicted man, highlighting her dedication to justice and impactful advocacy in the fight against wrongful imprisonment.
Second Act
Thinking of a new career, starting a business, or finding that meaningful volunteer role? Second Act, a new educational series explores lifestyle, health, finance and volunteerism issues to help you find your place in the changing seasons of life.
On the Road Again
The CSU Alumni Association is on the road again, reconnecting with graduates near and far.
Class Notes – Winter 2019
Harlan Sands
President Harlan M. Sands rose from humble beginnings through the Navy, law, and higher-ed leadership. Now at CSU, he champions urban education and community-focused student success.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates presiding over CSU’s commencement, honors student success, and highlights the university’s growth and community impact in urban research.
Enrollment Grows Again!
Marking its 11th straight year of enrollment growth, CSU welcomed more than 1,950 first-year students to campus fall semester, as well as 30 new faculty members.
Law Hall of Fame
Twenty-six leaders — including judges, alumni & public servants — were inducted into CSU's C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. A new legal tech lab also opened to prepare students for practice with hands-on tools.
In Tribute to the Public Service
David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was honored with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 2018 In Tribute to the Public Service Award.
Master of Influence
The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence at Cleveland State University launched with an inaugural event featuring Robert Cialdini, widely regarded as the worldwide expert on influence and persuasion.
On the Front Lines Combatting Disease
Scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries by CSU faculty researchers are helping cure disease, improve quality of life and even save lives.
Why I Say “Yes” to Radiance
Mark Ross, managing partner at PwC, shares his thoughts on Radiance.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
From a law man to a scientist and a hoops star to a poetess, CSU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the wide-ranging power of a CSU education.
Second Act
Thinking of a new career, starting a business, or finding that meaningful volunteer role? Second Act, a new educational series explores lifestyle, health, finance and volunteerism issues to help you find your place in the changing seasons of life.
Class Notes – Winter 2019
CSU Moving Forward Together
Noting that he has “always liked challenges with big opportunities attached,” Harlan M. Sands officially took on the greatest challenge and opportunity of his academic career – serving as president of Cleveland State University.
Green Power
CSU is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.
Treating Diabetes
A team of researchers led by CSU received a $1.69 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve treatment of type-2 diabetes.
C|M|LAW Tops Bar Exam
CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law had the highest passage rate for first-time takers of the July Ohio Bar Exam. The school’s 93 percent passage rate was well above the state average of 79 percent.
MakerSpace Fuels Creativity
CSU’s Dan T. Moore MakerSpace is officially open for business, enhancing Engaged Learning opportunities and helping produce “Ready-to-Go” engineers to meet industry needs.
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
Roland V. Anglin, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).
Record $1.7-plus Million Raised for Scholarships
Radiance, CSU’s annual fundraising event to support student scholarships, raised a record $1.7-plus million in 2018, bringing its seven-year total to over $7.8 million to help students who are a few dollars short graduate on time.
Homecoming
Were you one of the many alumni who came home to CSU for Homecoming 2018? For those that came from near and far, thank you. We enjoyed talking with you, sharing memories and showing you all that CSU has become.
Alumna Helps Free Innocent Man From Prison
A CSU alumna helped to secure the release of a wrongfully convicted man, highlighting her dedication to justice and impactful advocacy in the fight against wrongful imprisonment.
On the Road Again
The CSU Alumni Association is on the road again, reconnecting with graduates near and far.
Harlan Sands
President Harlan M. Sands rose from humble beginnings through the Navy, law, and higher-ed leadership. Now at CSU, he champions urban education and community-focused student success.
Green Power
CSU is one of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to the 2018 edition of The Princeton Review’s Guide to 399 Green Colleges.
Law Hall of Fame
Twenty-six leaders — including judges, alumni & public servants — were inducted into CSU's C|M|LAW Hall of Fame. A new legal tech lab also opened to prepare students for practice with hands-on tools.
MakerSpace Fuels Creativity
CSU’s Dan T. Moore MakerSpace is officially open for business, enhancing Engaged Learning opportunities and helping produce “Ready-to-Go” engineers to meet industry needs.
On the Front Lines Combatting Disease
Scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries by CSU faculty researchers are helping cure disease, improve quality of life and even save lives.
Homecoming
Were you one of the many alumni who came home to CSU for Homecoming 2018? For those that came from near and far, thank you. We enjoyed talking with you, sharing memories and showing you all that CSU has become.
Second Act
Thinking of a new career, starting a business, or finding that meaningful volunteer role? Second Act, a new educational series explores lifestyle, health, finance and volunteerism issues to help you find your place in the changing seasons of life.
CSU Moving Forward Together
Noting that he has “always liked challenges with big opportunities attached,” Harlan M. Sands officially took on the greatest challenge and opportunity of his academic career – serving as president of Cleveland State University.
Enrollment Grows Again!
Marking its 11th straight year of enrollment growth, CSU welcomed more than 1,950 first-year students to campus fall semester, as well as 30 new faculty members.
C|M|LAW Tops Bar Exam
CSU’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law had the highest passage rate for first-time takers of the July Ohio Bar Exam. The school’s 93 percent passage rate was well above the state average of 79 percent.
Master of Influence
The Bernie Moreno Center for Sales Excellence at Cleveland State University launched with an inaugural event featuring Robert Cialdini, widely regarded as the worldwide expert on influence and persuasion.
Record $1.7-plus Million Raised for Scholarships
Radiance, CSU’s annual fundraising event to support student scholarships, raised a record $1.7-plus million in 2018, bringing its seven-year total to over $7.8 million to help students who are a few dollars short graduate on time.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
From a law man to a scientist and a hoops star to a poetess, CSU’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients represent the wide-ranging power of a CSU education.
On the Road Again
The CSU Alumni Association is on the road again, reconnecting with graduates near and far.
A Message from the President
President Sands celebrates presiding over CSU’s commencement, honors student success, and highlights the university’s growth and community impact in urban research.
Treating Diabetes
A team of researchers led by CSU received a $1.69 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to improve treatment of type-2 diabetes.
In Tribute to the Public Service
David Abbott, executive director of the George Gund Foundation, was honored with the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs 2018 In Tribute to the Public Service Award.
A Tip of the Viking Helmet
Roland V. Anglin, dean of the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, was elected to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA).
Why I Say “Yes” to Radiance
Mark Ross, managing partner at PwC, shares his thoughts on Radiance.
Alumna Helps Free Innocent Man From Prison
A CSU alumna helped to secure the release of a wrongfully convicted man, highlighting her dedication to justice and impactful advocacy in the fight against wrongful imprisonment.