Twin Cities Students take Award in First-Ever AFL-CIO Online Video Competition

Videos take creative look at what's wrong with America and make suggestions for change

Minneapolis (July 14, 2008) Three Brown College students were voted the winners of the "Tour Cities Award" of the AFL-CIO Online Video Competition. The Brown College award recipients were Jeremy Nordeen, Aaron Utke, and Laura Yost. The group collaborated to produce a poignant, short video depicting the economic and political state of America and how issues such as unemployment, the War in Iraq and health insurance need to be addressed in order to turn around America. The general public was encouraged to vote for their favorite video clip on the AFL-CIO Online Video competition web site: www.turnaroundvideocontest.com.

"Young people took up the union movement's challenge to tell us not only why America isn't working the way it should, but also to give concrete ideas as to how this country can turn things around," said AFL-CIO Exec. Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. "Our goal was to engage people in a new way that will channel creativity and energy into a national discussion on what is necessary to get America back on track. The winning videos are provocative and creative, and should do just that!"

Jeremy Nordeen, Aaron Utke, and Laura Yost are students in Brown College's Television Production program. As part of the curriculum the students were required to produce a clip and submit it to a local or national competition. "It is great to see our students using their talents as a vehicle for social awareness and to be recognized by an organization such as the AFL-CIO is worthy recognition of their hard work," said Dr. William Cowan, President of Brown College.

For the Tour Cities Award, one winner was selected from each of up to ten cities where the AFL-CIO will be making a tour stop. Entries were judged on the overall impact, originality, and creativity in answering the question "How can we turn America? What's not working? What changes would you like to see? How do we get it done?" Judges selected the top 30 videos from all the submissions to the Online Video Competition. The judged panel included media industry professionals from the relevant metropolitan areas such as Gillian Grisman, director/producer of the Sundance Channel's mini-series, "Keeping Time: New Music from America's Roots," Chris Moore, producer of "Project Greenlight" and "Good Will Hunting" and Craig Minassian, producer and consultant for HBO, and Comedy Central and others.

Broadcasting is in Brown College's DNA. Richard and Helen Brown started the School of Broadcasting in 1946 to train young men and women for careers in the emerging field of Radio Broadcasting. In the 1950s, television changed communication forever. Brown responded with the addition of the Television Production program in 1954. Brown College students get the opportunity to learn behind the camera, get hands-on training in a multi-camera studio and on location. The Associate of Applied Science degree in television production is designed to prepare students for career opportunities such as producer, video editor, production assistant, camera and graphics as well as operator.

About Brown College
Brown has enjoyed huge success training and graduating students in technology, design, and broadcast fields for more than 60 years. Brown College offers programs in criminal justice, broadcasting, business management, design, and technology. Founded in 1946, Brown College provides students with the knowledge, technical skills and hands-on training needed to succeed in fields such as network and software development, game design and development, graphic design, radio broadcasting, digital media, criminal justice, interior design, and business management. Brown College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). For more information visit http://www.browncollege.edu.