Lewis University Television Network and sometimes called LUTN, is a Student television station on the Lewis University Romeoville, Illinois campus. Lewis University is a private Roman Catholic and Lasallian university with an enrollment around 6,800 students. The station is owned by Lewis University under the direction of the College of Arts and Sciences - Communications Department. The Lewis University Television Network has 2 cable television channels - channels 6 and 25.
Lewis University Television Network History
The Lewis University Television Network originally began programming in the early 1970s with a 3 camera black and white TV studio in the Lewis University aviation building, under the supervision of Br. Neil Keiffe, FSC. In 1981, a student, John Carey, began producing Lewis University Flyer Basketball and Baseball games for local cable television in color using Public-access television cable TV equipment. In 1985 the university created Director of Electronic Media position to begin an academic program in radio/television. The university had installed a 12 channel cable system in cooperation with American Cable System of Boston, Mass. In 1988 Lewis University began to offer a new major in Radio/Television. The university has their own cable television system provided by Campus TeleVideo.
The television production facilities and cable system master control were incorporated into the radio stations operation in Fitzpatrick Hall.
Lewis University installed a self standing 250-foot (76 m) radio tower in 2000 adjacent to DeLaSalle Hall. The Lewis University Television Network moved from the basement of Fitzpatick Hall dormitory basement to new studios and broadcasting center in December 2005. The new broadcasting facility was named the Andrew Center of Electronic Media at Lewis University. The center also houses WLRA Radio. The state of the art broadcasting facilities are located in DeLaSalle Hall on the Lewis University Romeoville campus.
Lewis University Television Network production facilities
The Lewis University Television Network is located at the Andrew Center of Electronic Media in DeLaSalle Hall on the Lewis University Romeoville, Illinois campus. Included in the Andrew Center of Electronic Media is the Lewis University Radio Station WLRA and Lewis University College of Arts and Sciences Electronic Media Offices for the academic Communications Department.
The Lewis University Television Network facilities include a 20' X 25' television studio with a news set (donated by Univison WGBO/WXFT - Chicago), 3 Cameras, dimer-able 24 channel lighting system, wired / wireless microphones, 3ME production switcher, 64X64 router, 3 Robotic Cameras pedestals, production automation software, Chyron Duet CG, 24 channel audio console, dual digital video playout system, teleprompter, and a matrix intercom system.
The non-linear editing systems are 6 AVID workstations and 5 Final Cut Pro workstations. Although the entire facility is tapeless, the primary video format is DVCam and there is inter-format BetaCam SP, 3/4" UMatic, 1/2" S-VHS, 1/2" VHS, and DVD. The editing systems are interconnected to the digital playout system in the TV control room. Students can check out Sony, Panasonic, and Cannon DVCam camcorders, tripods, lighting, and wired/wireless mics.
Lewis University also has a fully operational minicam microwave live truck for electronic news gathering. The ENG truck is capable of sending a live signal back to campus from up to 15 miles (24 km). It is also equipped with DVCam cuts only editing, IFB, trunk two-way radio and a 45-foot (14 m) mast. The university also maintains a 4 camera production truck for electronic field production. The EFP truck contains a Grass Valley Group 110 switcher, Grass Valley Group DPM-100,Type Deko CG, Allen and Heath 24 channel audio console, Sony DVCam ISO tape machines, dual channel intercom, walkie talkies, and 8 line phone system.
Notable Lewis University Television Network Alumni
John W. Kilpatrick, 3 time Daytime Emmy Award recipient for the "Oprah Winfrey Show".
John V. Strolia, 7 time Daytime Emmy Award recipient for the "Oprah Winfrey Show".
Deborah Olivia Brown, Director of Station Relations for NBC WMAQ-TV in Chicago
Brian Bertino, Technical Director NBC WMAQ-TV in Chicago
John Mason, television news presenter for KSTP-TV, Minneapolis
Angelo Lazzara, television producer, for nationally sydicated agriculture television show - This Week in Agra Business (formerly Tribune Entertainment's US Farm Report) - hosted by Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong
John Castelli, 2 time Emmy Award recipient, Television videotape editor, for Big Ten Network
Stephanie White, Television videotape editor, for Big Ten Network
Lindsey Muth, Television videotape editor, for Big Ten Network
Emily Costigan, Television videotape editor, for Big Ten Network
P. Douglas Becker, television traffic manager, for WGBO-TV Univision, Chicago
Edward Green, television videotape editor, Video Impressions, Aurora, Illinois
Mary Lynn Kuh, television graphic artist, Broadview Media, Chicago, Illinois
Eugene Garcia, television traffic manager, for WXFT-TV Telefutura, Chicago
Eric Wilson, television news presenter (News Anchor) for WREX-TV, Rockford, Illinois
Lewis University Television Network Memberships
NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) member
ILBA (Illinois Broadcaster's Association)
BEA (Broadcast Education Association)