Hamilton County might see increased train travel because of a group of Ball State University students.
Journalism instructor Richard Shoemaker said 14 students are working with the Indiana Transportation Museum in Noblesville to increase tourism in that area.
Assistant Professor of Journalism Ken Heinen said he and Shoemaker, both of whom are rail enthusiasts, submitted a proposal to the Ball State Business Fellows in response to a study commissioned by the Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The bureau sought a marketing and tourism plan for the museum, he said.
Shoemaker said the students will redesign the museum's Web site, create a course to recruit volunteers and conduct a ridership survey to learn about the museum's visitors.
The students are also compiling a visual inventory of the museum's equipment collection and an inventory of towns in Hamilton County with rail lines, Shoemaker said.
The students have backgrounds in photojournalism, marketing, telecommunications and advertising, he said.
Irem Tunc, a junior photojournalism major, said Heinen asked her to work on the project as a photographer, but she quickly found herself taking on videography responsibilities.
"I'm so happy I did that," Tunc said. "I went for an interview at a newspaper and they said their photographers all have experience with videography now. There's a convergence in skills and training."
Shoemaker said he and Heinen think the business fellows' work will have a long-term effect on both tourism in the county and use of the ITM's equipment.
The museum is adding track and a bridge in order to become a passenger railway, Shoemaker said.
"[The museum] will be able to play a greater role in area tourism and recreation," he said.
Heinen said the students also hope the visual inventory of the museum's collection will entice film makers to take advantage of its equipment and raise the profile of the museum.
Several audio slideshows have already been created, Heinen said, and numerous photos are waiting to be incorporated into the Web site's redesign, he said.
The students will conclude their project at the end of the semester, he said.
Heinen said the progress has been "right on track" since it began Fall Semester.
Additional informationThe business fellows will do the following:- redesign the museum's Web site- create a course to recruit volunteers- conduct a survey to learn about the museum's visitors- compile visual inventory of the museum's equipment collection- comile inventory of towns in Hamilton County with rail lines
(source: Professor Richard Shoemaker)
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
