From Denmark to Harvard and Back: The Journey of Dr. Washington

In a classroom conversation, Dr. Washington a professor of communication with a journey unlike any other sat down with students to talk about education, resilience, career paths, and what it really means to stay in motion. What followed was an honest, humorous, and deeply human narrative about navigating life, loss, ambition, and purpose.

Sound Bite: “I was born and raised in Denmark, South Carolina… Graduated in 2001.”

Benedict. Morehouse. Savannah State. Norfolk State. And finally, Jackson State University, the place that felt like home.

Dr. Washington’s story begins in the small town of Denmark, SC, a place he says he never expected to come back to. After graduating high school at 16 with AP credits already under his belt, he launched into a long, winding educational journey that took him across the country.

From Morehouse to Savannah State, Norfolk State, and ultimately Jackson State, he explored major after major in communication, English, sociology until finally landing in journalism and media studies, where things began to click.

His degrees span institutions like Northwestern, Harvard, and the University of Pennsylvania, but his reflections on rigor surprised the room.

 Sound Bite:
“Harvard was a joke… I never read one article. I just listened in class and got a 4.0.”

Yet, he describes Penn as the most academically challenging—particularly in finance and administration.

Sound Bite:“I work with one foot in the door and one foot out. Never become complacent.”.

Dr. Washington’s professional path includes teaching roles across multiple universities, leadership in marketing, and even a stint in the fashion industry. His job at Be Visionary Enterprises in Houston remains his favorite:

 Sound Bite:
“I love clothes… I have 362 pairs of Jordans.”

But he also sees potential. He spoke passionately about revitalizing small towns, attracting industries, and increasing economic mobility.

One of the most striking closing statements was about the value of higher education today. 

Sound Bite:
“A bachelor’s degree is like a second high school diploma.”

But the message he left with students was simple—and powerful:

 Sound Bite:
“If I can’t find a way, I’ll make one.”

Bold. Brilliant. Unfiltered.
A hometown son who traveled the country, earned degrees across the map, and returned to pour fire, honesty, and opportunity into the next generation.

 

Action Sequence (A Trip to O'Reilly Auto Parts)

 For this project, I created an action sequence centered around a student making a fast-paced trip to O’Reilly Auto Parts. The goal was to turn a simple errand into an exciting, cinematic moment by using dynamic camera shots, energetic editing, and music that helps build momentum. The sequence follows the student from the moment they enter the store to grabbing what they need and heading out, creating a sense of urgency and movement throughout.

Edit and Music: Adobe Audition  

I enjoyed experimenting with different angles inside the store and figuring out how to make the environment work for the action theme. If I were to redo the project, I might add even more movement-based shots, like following the student from the parking lot or using more dramatic close-ups. Overall, this was a fun and creative project to work on.

Top 5 Music List

 Hi everyone! My name is Samuel Mitchell. I’m currently a Senior majoring in Communication Broadcasting at South Carolina State University. I grew up in Orangeburg South Carolina, a place that shaped a lot of who I am, especially when it comes to the music I love.

Music has always been part of my everyday life. Whether I’m studying, driving, hanging out with friends, or unwinding at night, there’s always something playing in the background. I love music that tells stories, hits emotionally, or just feels good. I’m a huge fan of Gospel, but I can be picky. I also love R@B, and one country song. 

For this project, I put together a full on-air radio-style audio production featuring my Top 5 Favorite Songs of All Time. Keep reading for the countdown, links to the performers, and the audio production itself!

Click here to Listen to full rundown 

Edit on Adobe Audition

#5 – “Danza Kuduro” by Don Omar  

Listen: Danza Kuduro 

This track has one of the catchiest openings. The moment those first notes hit, I’m transported back to being on vacation in the Caribbean. It blends emotion with energy, and it’s been part of my playlist for years.

#4 – “Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee 

Listen: Gasolina 

“Gasolina” is one of the most iconic reggaeton tracks ever released, and for good reason. From the moment the beat drops, the song explodes with irresistible energy that defined an era and pushed reggaeton into the global spotlight. Daddy Yankee’s delivery is sharp, confident, and instantly recognizable, riding the pounding dembow rhythm with effortless swagger

#3 – “Breezin” by George Benson

Listen: Breezin'

This one always hits me with pure nostalgia. I used it a lot as background music for studying, relaxing, or late-night drives. The storytelling is incredible, and the melody stays stuck in my head for days.

#2 – “Lose Contral” by Teddy Swims  

Listen: Lose Contral 

“Lose Control” is a powerful, soulful showcase of Teddy Swims’ remarkable vocal range and emotional depth. The song blends elements of pop, R&B, and soul, creating a heartfelt confession about being overwhelmed by love and the chaos it can bring. Swims’ voice is raw and commanding, soaring through each chorus with a gritty passion that feels both vulnerable and explosive.

🥇 #1 – “Right on Time” by Lisa Knowles 

Listen: Right on Time 

“Right On Time” by Lisa Knowles is a soulful, uplifting gospel track that showcases her powerhouse vocals and heartfelt delivery. The song’s message centers on faith, patience, and trusting that God’s timing is always perfect, something Knowles expresses with both strength and sincerity. Her voice rises effortlessly above the rich harmonies and dynamic instrumentation, creating a sound that is both emotionally stirring and spiritually grounding.

Join The Legacy The Marching 101

 Since its founding in 1918, the University marching band has grown into the powerhouse ensemble we know and love today—a group defined by passion, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. For more than a century, The Marching 101 has carried forward a tradition rooted in pride, performance, and the promise to always transcend, conquer, and leave nothing to be desired.

 For more than 101 years, The Marching 101 has been a force of energy, passion, and pure musical power setting standards, breaking expectations, and proving time and time again why we’re one of the most electrifying ensembles in the nation.

Here we have an introduction to The Marching 101 Band here at South Carolina State University 

Click Here to Listen.  The radio version. 

Music: By the Marching 101 

Edit on Adobe Auditions 

While during this project, I decided to do a television version. In the video you will see some highlight of the Marching 101 Band for The South Carolina State University.   

 

Understanding Three-Point Lighting: A Demonstration

 Three-point lighting is a classic filmmaking and photography method that uses three separate lights to create a balanced, dimensional, and visually appealing image. The setup consists of a key light, fill light, and back light, each serving a different purpose in shaping the subject’s appearance.

Wide Shot of the Three-Point Lighting Setup (Lights Off)

This image shows the full lighting arrangement before any lights are turned on. You can see the (1) key light position, (2) fill light position, and (3) back light behind the subject.

Close-Up

With no lights turned on, the subject appears flat and poorly defined. This gives us a baseline to compare how each light enhances the scene.

Key Light Only

The key light is the primary and strongest light source.
Purpose: It defines the overall exposure and shapes the main features of the subject.
Here, the key light alone creates strong shadows and dramatic contrast. (Right Below)

 Key + Fill Light

The fill light is placed opposite the key and is softer.

Purpose: It reduces harsh shadows created by the key light without eliminating them completely.

In this photo, you can see the shadows soften and the face becomes more balanced.

 
Key + Fill + Back Light

The back light (also called rim or hair light) sits behind the subject.
Purpose: It creates a glowing outline that separates the subject from the background, preventing a flat image. With all three lights active, the subject appears more dimensional and professional.

Wide Shot of All Lights Turned On

This final wide shot shows the complete lighting arrangement working together while the subject stands in the middle. You can clearly see how each light contributes to the final image.

From this exercise, I learned how essential each light is in shaping the mood, depth, and clarity of an image. Three-point lighting isn’t just technical—it’s creative. Adjusting intensity, angle, and distance dramatically changes how a subject is perceived. Understanding this setup provides a strong foundation for any video or photo production.

Bounce Light Reflector Disc

Photography is all about capturing light and sometimes, the key to a stunning image isn’t finding the perfect light source but shaping the light you already have. That’s where a bounce light reflector comes in. Whether you’re shooting portraits, products, or outdoor landscapes, a reflector can dramatically improve your images by softening shadows, adding dimension, and giving your subjects a natural glow.

A bounce light reflector is a tool that redirects existing light onto your subject, rather than introducing new light like a flash.

Hold or mount the reflector opposite your main light source.  The angle determines where the bounced light falls, so experiment to find the most flattering effect. 

 The closer the reflector is to your subject, the stronger the reflected light. Pull it back to soften the effect.

A reflector disc is a lightweight, collapsible photography tool used to bounce or diffuse light onto your subject. Instead of creating light, it redirects existing light — filling shadows, reducing harsh highlights, and balancing exposure.

Photographers use reflector discs in both natural and studio light setups to achieve softer, more flattering lighting without the need for expensive gear.

Lighting can make or break a photo and one of the simplest, most affordable tools for mastering light is the reflector disc. Whether you’re shooting portraits, products, or videos, a reflector can instantly elevate your results by shaping natural or artificial light exactly how you want it.

A reflector disc is proof that you don’t need expensive lighting gear to take professional-looking photos. By learning how to shape and control light, you can transform flat images into vibrant, beautifully lit shots.

Down below, you will see some before and after shots of the reflector disc being use and not being use. 

     

Before Reflector Disc                                           After Reflector Disc 

Five Questions

 Bulldog Spotlight 

While constantly working on assignments for classes. Everyone deserves to be on the spotlight. Here we have our Spotlight of the week. Ms. Jalen Woodbury who is from Florence South Carolina. Ms. Woodbury is a Junior Journalism major. We had the opportunity to talk with Jalen to see why she chose SC State and her passion behind attending an HBCU. 

TAP HERE TO LISTEN