A student-produced Neumann University video entitled A Ministry of Presence has been nominated for a 2013 Student Achievement Award by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). The Communication and Media Arts senior seminar class, taught by Karen Thomas of FOX 29, created the video. 

A Ministry of Presence is a finalist in the Public Affairs/Community Service category. The video was produced by Ariel Box, Nicole DiCrescenza, Laura Scott and Tiffany Wilder. The seven-minute piece details the university’s commitment to service and explores in depth Neumann’s relationship with House of Joseph II, an organization that supports those infected with HIV-AIDS.

There are seven categories in the College Production section of the NATAS awards. The 19 finalists include productions from Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel University, Kutztown University, Neumann University, Penn State University, Shippensburg University, Temple University and the University of Delaware. The mid-Atlantic region covers Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and far eastern Ohio. NATAS does not release the total number of videos submitted for the awards.

Also nominated in the public affairs category are videos by students at Community College of Philadelphia and Shippensburg University.

Panels of professional judges rate the entries on content, creativity and execution. Winners will be announced on September 7 at the NATAS Mid-Atlantic Chapter Emmy Awards ceremony, held in Philadelphia.