New Media Center in Greensburg, Kan.

When the EF5 tornado hit the town of Greensburg in 2007, leveling 95% of the town, the staff and faculty at Kansas State University knew they needed to help. Shortly after the tornado destroyed Greensburg, the Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD) called a meeting of over 30 individuals from K-State to see what could be done to aid the devastated town. Several faculty teams stepped forward to help Greensburg.

            A team led by Dr. Bert Biles, executive producer of Communications and Marketing at K-State, traveled to Greensburg to acquaint themselves with the disaster. As the team sat down for lunch in one of the only restaurants still standing in town they met the city commissioner, Gene West. Biles began to talk with West about the team’s idea to create a media center that would be housed with a historical museum, K-State Extension services, and library.  Biles later presented the idea at a city commission meeting and it was supported immediately.

            The media center, now a part of the Kiowa County Commons, recently had its grand opening on Nov. 1, 2011. The building is 5,200 square feet and has an energy efficient building design. It houses work areas to support all aspects of digital media including a high definition television production studio, internet radio studio, and a lab for editing and producing video.

            "The Kiowa County Media Center is a great opportunity for the people of the county to cover meetings, school activities, community events, and important news in their communities," said Gloria Freeland, director of the Huck Boyd National Center for Community Media and assistant professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications. "To me, it's not just the communications hub for the county; it's also the heart of it."

            The center was designed based on a plan that other communities can easily copy and is open to all citizens to use the equipment.

            “The equipment is easy to operate so anyone can use it,” said Brandon Utech, technical producer of Communications and Marketing at K-State, “It allows for journalism students, retirees, and working moms to use the equipment.”

            The original team of K-Staters who met back in 2007 had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Kiowa County Commons. Biles was one of the speakers at the ceremony and thanked all the individuals who put in their time and effort to make the commons a reality.

            “I kept thinking, ‘holy mackerel, this actually happened,’” said Biles, “ It was quite remarkable to see all the pieces come together.”

            Biles reported that K-State individuals and departments were instrumental in the construction of the new media center. As a signature university engaged partnership, K-State worked to understand Greensburg’s priorities and linked those needs to K-State’s resources. In addition, by providing K-State expertise, facilitating collaborative relationships, and providing very limited funding, this important project was made possible.

            “K-State saw the opportunity in this project and allowed us to make the time commitment to see this project from beginning to end,” said Biles.