One of the finalizing experiences of a LeeU cinema student is the Senior Project. This is a set of two courses devoted to preparation of a portfolio-caliber short film or feature screenplay. The first semester of the project the student engages in a guided process, students workshop their scripts, shot designs, visual references, budgets, and schedules. The second semester students shoot the scripts they prepared and then move onto post-production, including editing, color correction and grading, sound design and graphics. This is a culmination of the students proficiency in the program and can serve as a valuable asset for their future.

Every fall semester, the LeeU Cinema program hosts the LeeU Film Friendsy. LeeU students and alumni are invited to participate in the 48-hour film fest. This faculty-directed event guides student teams to produce a three- to six-minute short film from start to finish, all within 48 hours. This fosters a spirit of fun, creative growth, and community connection—core values at the
heart of LeeU Cinema’s mission. The films are then judged and eligible for either the CUP (Creative Under Pressure) or the BFF (Best Frantic Filming) award. The event concludes with an awards ceremony where all films are screened in the Doris Johnson Screening Room.

Film
Film

In the Spring, the LeeU Cinema program along with the support from both the Office of Student Connections and Engagement and Campus Events hosts the LeeU Film Festival. This is atime for students to screen and present their short films to an audience of students, faculty, and community guests. Students are invited to submit any film they have produced in the past
year. Each submitted film is screened by a panel of faculty judges who chose the films to feature in the festival. Two awards are given for Faculty Choice Award and the Audience Choice Award that is decided at the end of the screenings.

Screening Room

The Doris Johnson Screening Room is a 110 seat movie theatre equipped with a 4k cinema projector and 7.1 surround sound system. The screening room is a central fixture in the Comm Arts building and is home of the LeeU Film Friendsy. Used as a teaching space for cinema classes and guest lectures the screening room fills the need for viewing films with a cinematic experience.

Sound Stage

The Sound Stage is a 45’X45’ production facility equipped with a control room, lighting grid, wrap around curtains, green screen, sound dampening, jib, and audio, video and network connections throughout the room. It is a versatile space for all types of film and television productions.

Content Spaces

The Comm Arts Building houses several unique spaces equipped with content production computers, media server, audio systems, and industry standard software. Designed with our cinema students in mind these rooms create a complete learning and working environment for them to thrive in

Classrooms

Our classrooms are also designed for teaching computer integrated courses. These classroom/lab spaces are also equipped with a media server for students to store and access their media content for class and projects.

Audio Control Room

Cinema students also have access to all the necessary cameras, lenses, lighting and audio gear for on-set production. Gear can be scheduled through our Equipment Room web page. The grip truck is available for Applied Cine class and senior projects

Equipment Resources

Cinema students also have access to all the necessary cameras, lenses, lighting and audio gear for on-set production. Gear can be scheduled through our Equipment Room web page. The grip truck is available for Applied Cine class and senior projects

Annamarie-Brendel

Anna Marie Brendel, MFA

Assistant Professor of Theatre
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 210G
Phone: (423) 614-8226
Email
Mary Dukes

Mary Dukes, MA

Senior Lecturer in Digital Media
Specialty: Broadcast Media, Sports & Communication, Media Production
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 112E
Phone: (423) 614-8225
Email
Matthew Fisher

Matthew Fisher, MFA

Professor of Cinema
Specialty: Film, Writing & Directing, Theory & Criticism
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 210F
Phone: (423) 614-6064
Email
Jordan Holt

Jordan Holt, MFA

Associate Professor of Graphic Design
Specialty: Graphic Design, Art & Culture
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 210E
Phone: (423) 473-1162
Email
Kimberly Lyon

Kimberly Lyon, MA

Associate Lecturer of Journalism
Specialty: Journalism, & Student Newspaper
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 112F
Phone: (423) 473-1164
Email
Mary Mathias-Dickerson

Mary Mathias-Dickerson, MFA

Associate Professor of Art
Specialty: Studio Art, Drawing & Painting
Communication Arts | Location: MAY 115
Phone: (423) 614-8692
Email
Brian Mattson

Brian Mattson, PhD

Assistant Professor of Communication
Specialty: Rhetoric, Social/Digital Media & Religion
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 112G
Phone: (423) 614-8494
Email
Megan Moe

Megan Moe, PhD

Professor of Communication
Specialty: Communication, & Advertising
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 112D
Phone: (423) 614-8171
Email
Andrea Phillips

Andrea Phillips, PhD

Associate Professor of Public Relations
Specialty: Public Relations, Campaigns, & Strategy
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 112C
Phone: (423) 473-3781
Email
Lee Waller

Lee Waller, MA

Associate Lecturer of Cinema
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 210C
Phone: (423) 614-8618
Email
Christine Williams

Christine Williams, PhD

Chair of the Department of Communication Arts / Professor of Theatre
Specialty: Acting & Directing, Theatre, Literature, Criticism, & History
Communication Arts | Location: CAB 210D
Phone: (423) 614-8227
Email

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In the Public Relations major, students develop the knowledge and skills they need to help organizations build mutually beneficial relationships with key publics. Students will be equipped to work in corporate, nonprofit or agency settings, using critical thinking, creativity and strategic communication to reach an organization's goals.

Career Opportunities

  • Event coordinator
  • Community manager
  • Community relations
  • Communications director
  • Healthcare communication
  • Public Relations manager
  • Public information officer
  • Copywriter
  • Copy editor
  • Editor
  • Editorial assistant
  • Digital content creator
  • Media content provider
  • Social Media Manager
  • Sports Information Officer

What to Expect

Hub/Support/Tutoring

Academic assistance is available for all students through Lee’s support services. Tutoring for specialized major classes may be requested.

Travel/Global Trips

Communication, Digital Media, and Public Relations Global Trips (various destinations) – Previous destinations include Australia, Italy, Greece, Ireland.

Club/Social

  • Public Relations Student Society of America
  • Society for Collegiate Journalists

Awards/Honors

Each discipline awards one outstanding graduate prior to spring commencement. The entire department gives an honors award to the department’s most outstanding graduate.

Service

Service learning is embedded within several courses.

Capstone

Capstone courses offer students the opportunity to integrate their major with the university’s religion courses and shared core values of ethical action, redemptive service and responsible citizenship. These courses consider how faith relates to their anticipated professions, providing a bridge between academic studies and life beyond graduation.

Home/Location

The physical heart of the department is the Communication Arts Building. Constructed in 2014, this building houses unique spaces for all major programs. Communication, advertising, and public relations students enjoys interactive classrooms and seminar meeting spaces for study and project groups.

Internships/Practicum

Majors in this area are met with an ever-growing list of internships and practicum sites to put their learning into practice. To see the current list of internship opportunities, click here.

Student Media

Clarion: Lee's award-winning student-run newspaper maintains a regular publishing schedule online and in print throughout the academic year. Paid and scholarship student editor positions are available each semester.

Vindagua: Lee's award-winning magazine-style yearbook is published once each semester. Paid and scholarship student editor positions are available each semester.

Lee Update: Lee’s morning announcement show, launched in 2009. They film the week’s announcement videos, shown every Tuesday and Thursday in chapel. Students may participate as an anchor, writer, or other behind the scenes duties such as running teleprompter, cameras, and audio.

Story of My Life: Lee’s interview-style podcast that highlights the untold stories of Lee University.

Research/Competition

Outstanding public relations students may join the Bateman Team for the annual Public Relations Society of America competition.

Want a Scholarship?

Lee University offers a wide variety of scholarships for all our schools and programs.

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Hello Dolly




The theatre majors are designed to introduce students to all areas of theatre to prepare them as a well-rounded theatre artist. Students can choose between the Theatre Studies emphasis, Musical Theatre Emphasis and Theatre Education degrees. The Theatre Studies Emphasis trains students to consider the art of theatre critically and creatively in order to engage in professional positions or graduate study. The Musical Theatre Emphasis will train students in theatre, music and dance for future work or study in the theatre industry. Students pursuing the theatre education track will also earn K-12 licensure to teach theatre arts. The Theatre program also offers a Theatre Minor and, in collaboration with the School of Music, a Musical Theatre Minor. For more information about our Theatre program please visit our Theatre webpage.

Career Opportunities

Theatre

  • Theatrical designer (costumes, sets, sound, lights)
  • Stage manager
  • Theatre technician
  • Theatre director
  • Arts administrator
  • Actor
  • Theatrical set carpenter
  • Theatre electrician
  • Playwright
  • Dramaturg/Literary
  • Manager
  • Props master
  • Producer

Theatre Education, K-12 Licensure

  • Theatre Teacher
  • Teacher Education Director, professional theatre

What to Expect

Hub/Support/Tutoring

Academic assistance is available for all students through Lee’s support services. Tutoring for specialized major classes may be requested.

Travel/Global Trips

The theatre program conducts regular trips to various locations. Past trips have included excursions to UK, Vienna, Budapest, and Prague.

Club/Social

  • Alpha Psi Omega
  • Theatre Honor Society

Awards/Honors

Each discipline awards one outstanding graduate prior to spring commencement. The entire department gives an honors award to the department’s most outstanding graduate.

Service

Service learning is embedded within several courses.

Capstone

Capstone courses offer students the opportunity to integrate their major with the university’s religion courses and shared core values of ethical action, redemptive service and responsible citizenship. These courses consider how faith relates to their anticipated professions, providing a bridge between academic studies and life beyond graduation. Art and Theatre each have their own capstone course.

Home/Location

The physical heart of the department is the Communication Arts Building. Constructed in 2014, this building houses unique spaces for all major programs. Theatre students spend most of their time in the rehearsal room, design lab, Buzz Oates Theater, and in the off-site scene and costume shops

Internships/Practicum

Professional theatre internships are available. Past interns have worked with Endstation Theatre, The Rose Theatre, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Seagull Theatre, Florida Repertory, and many others.

Research/Competition

Theatre students who show aptitude in design, direction, or dramaturgy are frequently given production roles in the theatre season which requires a good deal of research. Theatre students are encouraged to present design work at the Southeastern Theatre Conference each year.

Arts/Performance

  • Lee Theatre produces four shows per year in the Buzz Oates Theater and the Dixon Center Auditorium.
  • Shenanigans Improv Team performs throughout the year on and off campus.

Want a Scholarship?

Lee University offers a wide variety of scholarships for all our schools and programs.

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Studio Production is designed to train students in both professional and academic pursuits. Students develop their skills in the fast-paced, team environment of television and remote video production used in many broadcast, industrial and religious media outlets.

Career Opportunities

  • Audio editor
  • Broadcast news
  • Broadcast sports
  • Camera operator
  • Church media director
  • Digital content creator
  • Graphics operator
  • Media content provider
  • Multimedia artist/animatorProduction assistant
  • Production crew
  • Social media manager
  • Technical director
  • Television/film/video director
  • Television/film/video producer

What to Expect

Hub/Support/Tutoring

Academic assistance is available for all students through Lee’s support services. Tutoring for specialized major classes may be requested.

Travel/Global Trips

Communication, Digital Media, and Public Relations Global Trips (various destinations) – Previous destinations include Australia, Italy, Greece, Ireland.

Club/Social

Film Society

Awards/Honors

Each discipline awards one outstanding graduate prior to spring commencement. The entire department gives an honors award to the department’s most outstanding graduate.

Service

Service learning is embedded in several courses. In addition, students have opportunities in specialized areas of expertise such as video production.

Capstone

Capstone courses offer students the opportunity to integrate their major with the university’s religion courses and shared core values of ethical action, redemptive service and responsible citizenship. These courses consider how faith relates to their anticipated professions, providing a bridge between academic studies and life beyond graduation. Digital media and cinema students take Christianity and Media.

Home/Location

The physical heart of the department is the Communication Arts Building. Constructed in 2014, this building houses unique spaces for all major programs. Digital media and cinema students can be found in the television studio, audio and video labs, as well as the film screening room.

Internships/Practicum

Majors in this area are met with an ever-growing list of internships and practicum sites to put their learning into practice. To see the current list of internship opportunities, click here.Internships with nearby broadcasters, like WCLE, WDEF, WRCB, WTCI, and WTVC and on-campus options with LEETV and Sports Communication practicums are of special interest to our students majoring in digital media – studio production emphasis.

Student Media

Clarion: Lee’s award-winning student-run newspaper maintains a regular publishing schedule online and in print throughout the academic year. Paid and scholarship student editor positions are available each semester.

Vindagua: Lee’s award-winning magazine-style yearbook is published once each semester. Paid and scholarship student editor positions are available each semester.

Lee Update: Lee’s morning announcement show, launched in 2009. They film the week’s announcement videos, shown every Tuesday and Thursday in chapel. Students may participate as an anchor, writer, or other behind the scenes duties such as running teleprompter, cameras, and audio.

Story of My Life: Lee’s interview-style podcast that highlights the untold stories of Lee University.

Want a Scholarship?

Lee University offers a wide variety of scholarships for all our schools and programs.

Explore The Campus Through
Our Interactive 3D Map


Journalism students train in the expanding world of the multimedia journalist, crafting information and visuals to best inform the public about what is happening in the world around them. The courses prepare students to use media to influence culture positively.

Career Opportunities

  • Copy editor
  • Copywriter
  • Digital content creator
  • Editor
  • Editorial assistant
  • Media content provider
  • Photographer
  • Print journalist
  • Reporter
  • Social media manager
  • Television reporter
  • Web content manager

What to Expect

Hub/Support/Tutoring

Academic assistance is available for all students through Lee’s support services. Tutoring for specialized major classes may be requested.

Travel/Global Trips

Communication, Digital Media, and Public Relations Global Trips (various destinations) – Previous destinations include Australia, Italy, Greece, Ireland.

 

 

Club/Social

Society for Collegiate Journalists

Awards/Honors

Each discipline awards one outstanding graduate prior to spring commencement. The entire department gives an honors award to the department’s most outstanding graduate.

Service

Service learning is embedded within several courses.

Capstone

Capstone courses offer students the opportunity to integrate their major with the university’s religion courses and shared core values of ethical action, redemptive service and responsible citizenship. These courses consider how faith relates to their anticipated professions, providing a bridge between academic studies and life beyond graduation. Digital media and cinema students take Christianity and Media.

Home/Location

The physical heart of the department is the Communication Arts Building. Constructed in 2014, this building houses unique spaces for all major programs. Digital media and cinema students can be found in the television studio, student media publication lab, as well as the film screening room.

Internships/Practicum

Majors in this area are met with an ever-growing list of internships and practicum sites to put their learning into practice. To see the current list of internship opportunities, click here.

Internships with area newspapers Cleveland Daily Banner and Chattanooga Times Free Press and area news broadcasters WCLE, WDEF, WRCBTV, WTCI, WTVC, and are of special interest to our journalism students.

Student Media

Clarion: Lee’s award-winning student-run newspaper maintains a regular publishing schedule online and in print throughout the academic year. Paid and scholarship student editor positions are available each semester.

Vindagua: Lee’s award-winning magazine-style yearbook is published once each semester. Paid and scholarship student editor positions are available each semester.

Lee Update: Lee’s morning announcement show, launched in 2009. They film the week’s announcement videos, shown every Tuesday and Thursday in chapel. Students may participate as an anchor, writer, or other behind the scenes duties such as running teleprompter, cameras, and audio.

Story of My Life: Lee’s interview-style podcast that highlights the untold stories of Lee University.

Want a Scholarship?

Lee University offers a wide variety of scholarships for all our schools and programs.

Explore The Campus Through
Our Interactive 3D Map