Telling TAC’s Stories: Student 2022-23 Multimedia Teams Bring Campus News to Life

Whether on Thomas Aquinas College’s website, its monthly E-Letter, quarterly print newsletter, or various social media platforms, the news of Thomas Aquinas College is always vibrantly available — thanks to the hard work of the TAC student Multimedia Crew.

“We are blessed to have a talented team of writers, photographers, videographers, and AV technicians on both campuses,” says Chris Weinkopf, executive director of college relations. “They are the eyes and ears of the broader TAC community, providing many glimpses into the richness of student life — from dances and plays to liturgies and lectures — for parents, prospective students, and benefactors alike.”

Some three-quarters of TAC students receive assistance through the College’s robust financial aid program, which meets 100 percent of all demonstrated financial need. As part of that program, most students who receive financial assistance (and even some who don’t) work a 13-hour-per-week, on-campus job to help cover their tuition costs. Those jobs can come from any campus department, such as the dining hall, maintenance, groundskeeping — or even college relations.

“It’s a great arrangement that allows students to actively contribute to the cost of their education while developing invaluable professional experience,” says Mr. Weinkopf. “And they do great work!”

Meet the members of the 2022-2023 Multimedia Crew, who have been facilitating campus events — and bringing their stories and images to the broader world — throughout this academic year:

New England

Samuel Livingston (’26) brings both official events and candid moments to life as New England’s campus photographer. Growing up as the oldest of 11 in southeast Nebraska, he found his love for photography while shooting his own movies as a hobby and continued to hone his skills through high school. Between practicing Euclid propositions, he enjoys listening to music and singing in the College choir.

Complementing Sam’s stills are videos captured and edited by Tanner Sheffield (’23). With a previous degree from California’s Butte College in audio engineering, Tanner also often has a hand in many other multimedia projects as well. A senior, he plays all the College’s intramural sports offered, leads dance classes, and plays guitar in his spare time.

Giving life to these photos and videos is Student Writer Camden Tuffile (’24). A Massachusetts native, Cami’s affinity for writing began in middle school, when she started taking English courses through Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth program. By high school, that affinity had developed into a special fascination with journalism. When not documenting campus life, she enjoys hiking, crocheting, and (of course) writing short stories.

Rounding out the New England multimedia crew is the audiovisual (A/V) team, which records, polishes, and archives the campus’s lectures, addresses, and other events. Bernadette Mohun (’23) joined the team as a freshman. Outside of work, she can reliably be found in Olivia Music Hall singing opera, playing violin, or giving lessons to faculty children.

Joseph Arias (’24) is the other half of the A/V duo, setting up speakers for events, transcribing audio, and screening classic movies every weekend in Dolben Auditorium. Like Sam, he hails from Nebraska and is one of the newer additions to the multimedia crew, picking up the tricks of the trade as he goes. When he is not mastering the arcane art of audio manipulation, Joseph can often be found drawing and practicing martial arts.

California

The California crew members walk the same beats as their New England counterparts, bringing the picturesque Santa Paula campus to life in picture, sound, and words.

Photographer Regina Terreri (’23) brings an acute visual sense to her craft. In addition to photography, she is an accomplished artist and painter, having co-founded the TAC Art Club. After graduating in May, she hopes to pursue her crafts professionally — and has already gotten a head start by providing illustrations for two children’s books written by her father, Vincent Terreri (’94), which are on the road to publication.

Combining a similar visual sense with the heart of a storyteller is California’s videographer, Joshua Moore (’24), who brought three years of professional filmmaking experience with him to the College. Joshua is the first of his family to attend TAC, though hopefully not the last. “I have never lived in so rich and beautiful a community as at Thomas Aquinas College,” he says. “It is easy to love God here — and desirable to love my neighbor.”

California’s writer, Peter King (’24), shares Joshua’s passion for storytelling. “I love writing,” he says. “So it’s a joy for my hobby to also be my job.” Peter took some creative-writing classes before coming to the College, and has continued to cultivate his craft, both through his student0scholarship position and in his leisure time. An ardent reader and writer, Peter hopes to attend an MFA program in creative fiction after graduating.

Thomas Oleson (’23), James Hirota (’24), and Dillon Tuliau (’24) make up California’s intrepid A/V trio. Thomas has been a denizen of Santa Paula since he was young, after his father, Dr. Christopher Oleson, joined the College’s faculty in 2010. Tech-savvy by nature, he was a quick study with his A/V duties when he joined the crew three years ago, and he looks forward to even more technical work in coding after graduation.

Dillon grew up in Compton, California, and like Joshua is the first of his family to attend the College. Though he had little prior A/V experience, he has been eager to learn— especially because it means he has attended nearly every College event. “Attending TAC is such a blessing,” he says. “Being surrounded by such supportive and intelligent people is something I will miss sorely after graduating!”

James is a proud Southern Californian, hailing from Chino Hills in the Inland Empire. He has been around A/V equipment for years, having both helped his father, a professional drummer, set up his performances, as well as played guitar in a band for eight years. Another of James’s passions is biology, which he hopes to pursue professionally after graduating in 2024.

Although she studies in California, Bella Sanchez (’23) works for both campuses, weaving the hard work of the multimedia crews into dynamic Instagram reels and posts that keep friends of the College apprised of its bicoastal life. “I love seeing TAC through different lenses,” she says of her work, “catching moments I otherwise might have missed.” She looks forward to pursuing a career in interior design after graduating in May.