Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Shelley Osterloh ReportingThe Hill Aerospace Museum has a new weapon in its arsenal, thanks to some college students. It's not a military weapon, but a marketing weapon designed to enlist more visitors and donors to the Museum.
The Hill Aerospace Museum attracts about 180-thousand visitors each year, but Tom Hill -- the museum curator -- would like to see more. Hill says a few months ago he met with board members of the museum's private fundraising foundation to talk about ways to get the word out about what the museum has to offer. By coincidence, that same day, in walked Joe Winther, an instructor at the University of Phoenix looking for a student project for this multimedia class.
Joe Winther, Instructor, University of Phoenix: "He did ask how much is this going to cost and I said it's not going to cost anything. It's our experience. We wanted the experience."
So in just five weeks, 13 students shot video, gathered historical photos and film, researched and edited and everything else to deliver an eight minute multimedia DVD about the Museum and all that it has to offer.
Tom Hill, Curator Hill Aerospace Museum: "It came back perfectly. It looked like something we had paid a professional, or a group of professionals. It was very nice and it's going to very useful for us."
For students like Adam Partridge, the real payoff is in experience, and knowing that their school project will have lasting impact.
Adam Partridge, University of Phoenix Graduate: "Just a great opportunity to do something real."
With this project Partridge just finished his degree in Information Technology, and in a few days the Air Force staff sergeant ships off to the Middle East. He says, as a student and soldier he is proud of the video because the museum is important to the history of the Air Force.
Adam Partridge, University of Phoenix Graduate SOT Adam Partridge, University of Phoenix Graduate: "It's a place to come back and remember everything we have done for the country over the years."
The video will be used for public and educational projects and to enlist financial support and volunteers. And, like the museum itself, be a tribute to the history of aerospace in Utah. You might catch that multimedia video at the Utah State Fair.
