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St. Olaf College | News

Oles aren’t confined to a classroom

Students in St. Olaf College’s Media and the Environment course spent a semester collaborating with local nonprofits to produce high-quality, sophisticated videos promoting their work.

Media and Film Studies Program Director Bill Sonnega, who taught the class, says students benefit from a direct, hands-on experience that has a positive impact on these organizations and their missions.

“What it means to be an Ole is to have access to these kinds of experiences,” Sonnega says, noting that “a small class size, distinguished alumni professionals who are here to contribute their expertise, and on-site professionals who also model real pre-professional possibilities for students,” all contribute to an exceptional learning process.

Rebecca DeBoer ’19 says the class showed her how people can take what they learn in books and through other forms of media and apply it to the real world.

“When you work beyond the classroom, you start to get ideas for how you want to live your life after college,” she says.

Oles aren’t confined to a classroom. Oles learn through experience.