PLAINVIEW – A $1 million gift will transform Wayland Baptist University’s media and worship arts programs.
Ben and Bertha Mieth donated the funds to modernize the university’s multimedia facilities. The majority of the money will be used to modernize production and master control equipment, according to a press release.
“The majority of that will go toward video production, cinema production, audio livestreaming, podcasting and social media content production,” Ray Rush, assistant professor of communication and media studies, said in the press release. “Some of that will also go toward graphic design and professional communications.”
The modernization of the production facilities will improve the university’s ability to broadcast sports competitions and other live events, the school said.
“We’re building that centerpiece,” Rush said. “We’ll be buying new lights and new studio cameras, but the centerpiece is where the most money is going to be spent. We’re going to invest in equipment that will improve the quality of our livestreaming capabilities for both athletic and collegiate events.”
Part of the funds will also be used to modernize the church service production facilities in the university auditorium.
“We will be upgrading the Harral Auditorium’s equipment for chapel, based on equipment commonly used in churches for worship production,” Rush said. “Some of it will also be spent on worship and music production.”
The donation brings the university closer to its $18 million fundraising goal for its Thrive campaign, which aims to fund scholarships, programs, academic needs, athletics and much-needed campus improvements, the university said.
“We are deeply grateful to Ben and Bertha Mieth for recognizing and responding to this urgent need at Wayland,” said Donna Hedgepath, President of Wayland. “Their generosity embodies the spirit of the Thrive campaign. With this gift, our media arts students will have the tools and training they need for their first day of work in the media industry. The Mieths’ gift is a lasting testament to their continued loyalty.”
