Radford On Camera is Radford University’s student-run video production organization that was first established on March 28, 1995 and centered around making content for the Radford community and beyond. We work to craft our videos to push our audience aesthetically and to keep them up to date with the newest information around the campus. These videos get uploaded to the student-run YouTube channel: ROC-TV. We have worked with the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, the Radford City Police Department, the Radford University Police Department, Sinkland Farms, RU’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club, and many more with content ranging from fun films, vlogs, campus news coverage, short documentaries, and so much more!! ROC gives students the opportunity to express their creativity both on camera and behind the scenes.

Our office which houses camera equipment is located in the Bonnie Student Center, Room 229.
We meet weekly on Saturdays at 4:00pm in Young Hall, Room 412.

If you are interested in joining, please fill out this quick form! 🥰
https://radfordoncamera.com/join

Contact Info
Radford On Camera
Radford University P.O. 6895
Radford, VA 24142
901-264-9625
ROC@Radford.edu

Our History

TLDR: Radford On Camera was created by Kim Galante and Sherrie Austin. The first episode of ROC-TV aired March 27 1995. At the time, there were 10 crew members. Dr. Huttenstein and Dr. Worringham we’re the faculty advisors. During that first season, three episodes were produced.

Radford On Camera, a student-run video production organization at Radford University, began its journey in the spring of 1995. The organization’s inception can be traced to a Women in Communications club meeting, where Sherrie Austin attended and proposed an alternative to the club’s initial concept of a hard-news based show. Drawing from her three years of experience in high school television production and work with Jesse Shelton’s production company, Austin suggested creating something more entertainment-focused that would both educate the crew and make people laugh.

The suggestion was met with enthusiasm from the meeting attendees, including Mandy, Victoria, and Cory. Following this initial gathering, a small group of approximately five students came together to establish the organization’s identity. After considering several options, they settled on “Radford On Camera” rather than “Radford On Campus,” believing the former would provide broader scope for content.

Austin began laying the groundwork for the organization, and soon connected with Kim Galante through Professor Marion Huttenstine. Galante had been considering a similar project for her final assignment. Together, they navigated meetings with the Media Studies department and various campus organizations. With Dr. Huttenstine’s support and Galante’s quickly drafted proposal, they secured approval from the Student Media Committee to establish the first student-created and student-run media organization at Radford.

The early days of Radford On Camera were marked by modest beginnings. The organization arranged to use the Media Studies department’s studio on Norwood Street near Macado’s during evening hours. Their first equipment purchase was notably humble: three VHS tapes from KMART, bought with $100 from Austin’s personal account. The initial production setup included a borrowed VHS camcorder from Jason Swann, a Radio Shack microphone, and three-dollar headphones.

During their first semester, Radford On Camera produced three ten-minute shows on ROC-TV. The premiere episode was shot in the Norwood studio using makeshift equipment setups, including a tripod balanced on books and colored paper taped to the cyc as a backdrop. Despite technical limitations and less-than-ideal time slots on public access Channel 9, the show represented an important milestone.

Gavin MacCall joined the organization early in its development, initially serving as “take boy” during the second show’s production. MacCall’s involvement would prove instrumental in the organization’s future growth. After Galante’s graduation, MacCall stepped up to partner with Austin in leading Radford On Camera, offering complementary skills that strengthened the organization’s capabilities.

The show’s development included several significant changes. The programming expanded to six thirty-minute shows per semester, airing on both local Channel 9 and campus Channel 11. Danielle Banks took charge of Channel 11 programming, adding valuable organizational capacity. The production team faced numerous challenges, particularly regarding editing space. Through the support of the Media Studies department and Dr. Richard Worringham, they gained access to editing equipment, though this often meant working through multiple sleepless nights to meet deadlines.

ROC-TV’s content evolved from its initial news magazine format to include regular segments such as “Question of the Week” and the popular “Cart Boy” series. The latter, featuring MacCall riding in a shopping cart with a hooded pusher, became one of their most recognized segments. The show later transitioned to focus entirely on skits, animation, and creative content, drawing comparisons to “Saturday Night Live” and attracting a larger viewership. Popular segments included “Cooking with Gidget” hosted by Bridget Burns, “Poot-Pourri,” and their talk show “Rena.”

The organization’s growth from operating out of Austin’s car trunk to securing their own office in Heth Hall marked a significant milestone. Through participation in the SGA and the Student Media Committie, they acquired office space and eventually secured a $12,000 budget, enabling equipment purchases beyond their initial modest supplies. The organization reached another milestone when it received a Media 100 editing system in Fall 1998, under the leadership of new producers Andy Vanhook and Billy Krichbaum.

Key contributors to the organization’s initial success included Erin Wilkes, who served as Production Manager, “Question of the Week” presenter, and Cart Pusher across multiple seasons. Her energy and recruitment efforts helped build the organization’s membership.

Overall, the organization’s long-term success stemmed from its ability to balance educational opportunities with creative entertainment, though Austin later reflected that more could have been done to involve additional crew members in production. Nevertheless, the impact on its members and viewers established a lasting legacy at Radford University, embodying the spirit of “Why not?” that characterized its approach to seemingly impossible challenges. Even to this very day Radford On Camera continues to provide quality and entertaining content for all to enjoy on ROC-TV.

~Dr. Kevin “West” Bowers was an Associate Professor of Communication and previously served as the Media Studies Coordinator in the School of Communication. A member of the RU faculty since 2011, West was deeply committed to student media productions, having served as faculty advisor to “Radford On Camera” and mentor to several students in independent projects.