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UTVS leaves 25 year legacy
By Drew Sandholm
 Media Credit: Ryan Henry Scott Bryce, professor of Holocaust studies, celebrates the 25th Anniversary of UTVS. Bryce was the founder of the SCSU television station in 1978.
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Arguably one of the most influential mediums of mass media, television enthralls millions of Americans. Not only does television have an impact nationwide, it captivates thousands locally.
Informing and entertaining audiences, UTVS-TV celebrates its 25th year anniversary as the campus television station of SCSU.
An SCSU student organization of more than 100 members, UTVS is entirely student run, from camera operation to station management. Because UTVS is student run, it provides SCSU students the opportunity to take part in all aspects of television broadcast and production. At UTVS, SCSU students practice what most other college and university students could only dream of, getting hands on experience.
"You can't get that at any other school," said second-year SCSU mass communications major and UTVS station manager Josh Miller. "One of our alumni, who now works for FOX Sports, said that the elitist graduate from another school didn't know how to work anything going into the job."
UTVS has come a long way in its 25 years, but it didn't start out "as is."
When UTVS was created in 1978, it was originally broadcast out of a tiny studio located in the basement of the Performing Arts building. Then UTVS' programming included UTVS News and a few other educational documentary type shows. It's evident, things have changed in 25 years.
Today, UTVS features a menagerie of programming. From sports to entertainment, UTVS' student run shows cover a variety of topics and issues.
Providing for complete coverage of nearly every Husky hockey game, Husky Productions exemplifies the professionalism of UTVS productions. Several broadcasts of Husky Productions can be seen on KSTC-TV channel 45 in the Twin Cites.
More along the lines of the entertainment side of television, "Groove," "Cartoon Nation," "Back to the Movies" and "Monday Night Live" showcase the station's love of the entertainment world.
The "Groove" takes the viewer on an exploration of the musical nightlife of downtown St. Cloud. While on the cutting edge of new music, the "Groove" also debuts new alternative music videos.
Reviewing not only what's new out of Hollywood, "Back to the Movies" takes a look at the talent of SCSU student filmmakers.
Broadcast only to the Atwood Memorial Center, UTVS was only viewed to a limited audience in its early stages.
"The impact (of UTVS) at first was very small," said Director of the Center for Genocide and Holocaust Studies and UTVS founding father Scott Bryce. "But once the word started to get out, once we had a full block of programs, it became quite wellknown."
When cable television came to the city of St. Cloud, UTVS was picked up by the cable company and broadcast to an increased number of people.
Now cablecast via Charter Communications channel 7 and Astound! channel 21, UTVS garners a lofty audience. Serving the SCSU campus, as well as the entire St. Cloud area, UTVS broadcasts to a prospective 81,000 people.
After 25 years of 'Broadcasting for Excellence,' UTVS has grown and changed.
"I can't say that when we started we were perfect," Bryce said. "You can't ever get perfect in television, but gosh, we're getting close."
For more information about or how to get involved with UTVS-TV, visit http://www.utvs.com/ or call 320-654-5078.
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