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Canisius College Video Institute Wins Three PRSA Awards
Three videos produced by The Canisius College Video Institute, were recently honored with Excalibur Awards from the Buffalo/Niagara chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The awards were presented at the chapter’s 20th annual awards dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens on June 18.


(l-r) Cassandra Eldred (COM '09), Barbara J. Irwin, PhD, chair and professor of communicator and director of the Video Institute and Sarah Zamer (COM '10). Missing from photo: Ashley Carrow (COM '08)

All projects were produced under the direction of Barbara J. Irwin, PhD, director of the Video Institute and professor and chair of communication studies. “Habitat for Humanity,” produced by Ashley Carrow (COM ’08), Cassandra Eldred (COM ’09) and Sarah Zamer (COM ’10) received a Gold Excalibur award; “Carvings for a Cause,” produced by Jesse Koch (DMA ’08), Lauren Mariacher (COM ’08), and Shannon McCabe (COM ’09) received a Silver Excalibur award; and “Child and Family Services,” produced by Erin Bagwell (DMA ’09), Ashley Bowles (COM ’08) and Demaree Walsh (COM ’08) received a Bronze Excalibur award.

“Habitat for Humanity,” helps the Buffalo affiliate of the agency recruit volunteers, promote and explain the way in which families can benefit from becoming a Habitat family. The video includes interviews with volunteers, sponsors and homeowners whose lives have been impacted in positive ways as a result of their involvement with Habitat for Humanity. 

“Carvings for a Cause” was produced to create greater awareness of this public art project that resulted from a devastating snowstorm that damaged trees throughout Western New York in the fall of 2006.  The goal of the video was to assist the organization with their fundraising efforts. To date, Carvings for a Cause has secured five new sponsors and raised more than $40,000.    

“Child and Family Services” assists the agency with staff development, public relations and fundraising efforts. The video, which features interviews with the CEO, directors of several key programs the agency offers, and a client, has played an important role in creating a greater understanding among their various publics of the many services offered.


Video Institute Projects Earn National Awards
Three recent productions of the Canisius College Video Institute have earned 2009 Communicator Awards. 

The documentary “Southern India: A Collision of Cultures” was awarded two Gold Awards of Excellence in the categories of “Student Production” and “Documentary.”  A video promoting the Canisius College Study Abroad program was awarded a Gold Award of Excellence in the category of “Educational Institutions.”  And a video produced for Carvings for a Cause earned a Silver Award of Distinction in the “Charitable/Non-Profit” category.

The Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals in the US and around the world. These awards are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts, an organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.

“Southern India,” produced by Jennifer Eberhart (COM ’08) and Scott Richardson (DMA ’09), follows the journey as a group of students and faculty from Canisius travel to Southern India with the “Christianity on the Road Less Traveled' program. The documentary highlights religious, social, economic, and cultural aspects of this ancient and fascinating country.  “Canisius College Study Abroad” was produced by Erin Bagwell (DMA ’09) and highlights the opportunities available to Canisius students interested in living and learning in another country.  “Carvings for a Cause” was produced by Jesse Koch (DMA ’08), Lauren Mariacher (COM ’08), and Shannon McCabe (COM ’09) for the local organization of the same name that is working to turn trees damaged in the October 2006 storm into works of art, ultimately aiming to increase cultural tourism and re-tree Western New York.

All projects were produced under the direction of Barbara Irwin, PhD, director of the Video Institute and Professor and Chair of Communication Studies.

Funded in part by the John R. Oishei Foundation, the Canisius College Video Institute provides students with the opportunity to put their classroom lessons to work on projects that will benefit the college and the community at large. Students produce documentaries and promotional videos for local and international not-for-profit and service agencies that otherwise would not have the resources to tell their stories in this way.


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The Canisius College Video Institute provides students with the opportunity to put their classroom lessons to work on projects that will benefit the college and the community at large. Students produce documentaries and promotional videos for local and international not-for-profit and service agencies that otherwise would not have the resources to tell their stories this way.

The Canisius College Video Institute is funded in part by the John R. Oishei Foundation and directed by Barbara Irwin, PhD, chair of communication studies at Canisius College.

Public Screenings
Screenings of student video projects on campus are free and open to the public.
   Barbara J. Irwin, PhD, is professor and chair of the Communication Studies Department at Canisius College. A best-selling author, Irwin specializes in the areas of broadcasting and media studies. Her research interests include cultural indicators of daytime serial drama, behind-the-scenes development and creation of television programming, and the impact of the media on society. 

For information or to get involved in the Canisius College Video Institute, please write to irwin@canisius.eduor call 716-888-2108.

Students -- for an application to be part of this program, click a link below.

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