A groundbreaking celebration for the new Radio-TV-Film (RTF) Building at San Antonio College was held today at the construction site on W. Courtland Place, between North Main Ave. and Howard St.

Participants in the ceremony included President Robert E. Zeigler, Alamo Community College District (ACCD) Chancellor Terence Kelly, ACCD Board Member Charles Conner, Professional-Technical Division Dean Betty Larson, RTF Chair Terry Tackitt, and Advisory Board Member Pat Bodet, Director of Production & Outreach, WOAI-TV.

"This is an important step toward the creation of an appropriate and spacious environment for the Radio-TV-Film Program, which is one of the outstanding programs at San Antonio College," said President Robert E. Zeigler.

Tackitt said many members of the media have studied in the RTF Program at San Antonio College, which has remained the most influential source of training for San Antonio's broadcast media.

The RTF Program was offered as a specialization in 1966, the same year KSYM radio station began operation, becoming the first community college radio station in Texas. A TV studio was constructed in McAllister Fine Arts Center in 1972, and in 1975 the Bennett House was renovated for use as the RTF Hall, where KSYM radio moved in 1988 in order to offer weekend broadcasting.

The new 30,240 square foot, two-story Radio-TV-Film Building will cost $4.4 million, funded by a capital improvement bond issue. The architect is 3-D International/Marmon Mok, and the contractor is Constructors & Associates, Inc. The building is scheduled for completion in the Fall 2004, with classes offered in the building in January 2005.

The first floor will house seven offices; five audio edit rooms; five video edit rooms; three equipment storage rooms; a multi-track audio recording studio with control room; and a room for lectures, presentations, and screenings.

The second floor will house two television studios and control room, a video lab, a news lab, a computer writing lab, a copy writing classroom, a general classroom, two faculty offices, and the KSYM radio station. The radio station includes an on-air studio, performance studio, and offices for student, faculty, and station staff.

For more information about the RTF Department, call Chairperson Terry Tackitt at 733-2799.