TV Club Brings Campus Life to the Spotlight Through Club Connections

Westfield State University’s TV Club is shining a spotlight on campus life with its student-produced series, Club Connections. Led by Samuel Horton, Class of 2026, President of both the TV Club and Communication Club in addition to acting as Head Videographer for the Student Involvement, Activity, and Leadership (SAIL) office, the initiative aims to showcase the activities and achievements of student organizations across campus.

The club’s staff advisor, Kaylyn Fountain, also brings professional expertise to the table as Westfield State’s Video Production Technician. A Pace University alum with a background in television news, Fountain honed her skills at WWLP-22News before being hired by the University, where she now provides training to those who wish to do the same in TV Club.

Horton’s journey with the TV Club began in his freshman year when he discovered his passion for media production. “I wanted to be engaged and learn things that I’ll be using in the future,” he said. “As soon as I walked into the control room, I knew I wanted to be a part of this.” A lifelong enthusiast of animation and storytelling, Horton even explored theater classes at Westfield State to complement his interests.

As President, Horton and the TV Club at large found success in spearheading collaborations with the Athletics Department, producing sports content, as well as campus news features. When Alex Simiski, Assistant Director of Media Services, proposed spotlighting other clubs on campus, the idea for Club Connections was born. The series is almost entirely student-run and highlights the activities and achievements of Westfield State’s diverse student organizations.

The club meets on Wednesday evenings and coordinates all aspects of the production process, from pitching story ideas to filming and editing. With support from SAIL Director Matt Dellea and tools like the Involve App and Nestwork, Horton and his team connect with club leaders to arrange interviews and filming schedules.

As advisor, Fountain provides hands-on training in video production, guiding students through technical aspects such as camera operation, scriptwriting, and set management. “The students have been very quick at picking things up,” Fountain said, praising the club for its hard work and dedication. “They’re all excited to be there and interested in what they’re doing. I think it’s also great to encourage more who are interested to come and help. You don’t have to be a communication major or knowledgeable right away. There’s a lot you can do with the TV Club outside of Club Connections itself.”

To date, Club Connections has featured organizations such as the Improv Club, Music Listening Club, 1st Responders Club, Persona Club, Equestrian Club, and Ping Pong/Tennis Club. The production schedule may pause briefly during finals, but Horton and his team are committed to resuming the series afterward.

Student organizations interested in being featured on Club Connections can reach out to shorton5071@westfield.ma.edu.