Interested in digital news? Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is a new organization on campus that might spark your interest.
According to its website, RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. Wyatt Matson, president of RTDNA, established the Texas A&M University-San Antonio student chapter.
The organization is nationally recognized and provides different benefits for students such as training, networking, awards, resources and advocacy.
“I saw that there were no clubs like this available, so the team and I decided to make one ourselves,” Matson said. “We wanted to get experience in this field, meet students who are like minded, and meet local professionals. We found that other students wanted a similar experience, so we decided to create that experience for them.”
Barbara Audet, assistant professor of communications and RTDNA advisor, jumped at the idea to be an advisor when Matson mentioned trying to start a chapter.
“When I was first hired, it was a goal of mine to bring a chapter of RTDNA to the university,” Audet said. “When the students showed interest and started the process, it was logical to agree to be the advisor.”
Establishing a student chapter took most of the semester to get approved because recognition requires at least 10 members.
On April 5, the student chapter fulfilled requirements with 13 members.
Next semester the student chapter will hit the ground running with in-class recruitment efforts, bi-weekly meetings, relevant lectures, workshops, and a field trip to a local news station.
“I hope that one day, RTDNA at A&M-San Antonio will be the one of the stepping stones to having our own university broadcasting network,” said communications junior and vice president, Aaron Perez.
This chapter has the potential to make a difference in how broadcasting will be taught at Texas A&M- San Antonio. RTDNA also offers scholarships and applications are currently open. Apply by May 31, 2017. Scholarships will be awarded in December for the 2017-2018 academic year.
“We will also be hosting an event prior to finals that will have free food, so stay tuned,” Matson said. “The date, time and place for our meetings next semester will be announced at a later date.”
To join RTDNA at the national level, A&M- San Antonio students will pay a $52 fee. If students do not want to join the national chapter, they are able to join the local chapter for free.
To join the organization, students can go into JagSync, the university’s student organization portal.
