Mike Pietrowski: Truly a Good Guy
By Tom Kazanowski
The Stonehill College Audio/Visual department
is one of the busiest departments on campus.
Not only is the department responsible for all classroom technology, but it is
depended upon to cover all events from athletics to extracurriculars.
The man behind this entire operation is Mike Pietrowski.
Mike Pietrowski is the Director of Media and
Videography services at Stonehill College.
Being the Director of the department, it is Pietrowski’s responsibility to
field all requests for staffing and equipment to be provided for events on
campus that need coverage. Because of the high demand on his department,
Pietrowski has three full time employees working for him as well as four work
study students. Prior to working for Stonehill College,
Pietrowski was employed by Mashpee Public Schools where he served a similar
role as he does today with the College.
“In any given week, we can be working around
the clock. Some mornings I’m in the office at 6:30 and
don’t leave until 9:00 at night”, said Pietrowski.
John Kitson, one of the full time employees in
the department has been working at Stonehill since he graduated in 2008.
“I really enjoy being here at the College.
I would not have traded my experience here as a student for anything, and the
same feeling has continued since I began working for Mike” said Kitson.
Though it is Pietrowski’s job to organize all
of the events that need to be covered, he can be seen on campus working events
daily. This past fall he was in charge of the Hi-Pod
filming for the football games at W.B.
Mason Stadium. Additionally, he is present at nearly every
high end event that takes place on campus just to make sure everything runs
smoothly.
Mike Pietrowski (above) at his desk in Duffy.
Pietrowski has been here for nearly
thirteen years and he still continues to get the most satisfaction from his job
when he is able to work with students.
One of his work study students,
Sophomore Pete Scanlon, described what it is like dealing with Pietrowski.
“I have been working for Mike since the beginning of this academic year and it
has been a very rewarding experience.
Going into the job, I did not really know much about the field, but Mike
quickly helped me out and I have made major strides.
I have learned very valuable lessons not only in the Audio/Visual department
but in my overall work ethic”, said Scanlon.
One of Pietrowski’s former work study
students, Taylor Rosenbauer, had similar praises directed towards him.
“I really enjoyed working for Mike.
He allowed me to further explore my interest in the Videography field, and I
definitely could see myself getting involved in it when I graduate from school.
Most importantly though, Mike has become a great friend”, said Rosenbauer.
In the fall of 2011, Pietrowski was
responsible for bringing Jim Zumwalt, son of the former Chief of Naval
Operations Elmo Zumwalt, to Stonehill’s campus.
Zumwalt’s visit was special in the fact that he was able to make a presentation
to the Stonehill community. His expertise in the Vietnamese strategy in
the Vietnam War provided the student body with very interesting information.
Pietrowski met Zumwalt a number of years back at an event in Washington D.C.,
and they have been friends ever since then.
In 2010, Pietrowski organized a trip with four
students on campus to attend the National Association of Broadcasting’s annual
convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Las Vegas, the group learned about
much of the new audio and visual technology that was to come out in the few
years after that. Former Stonehill student, Justin Coonan was
one of the four students to attend the convention.
“It was a rewarding experience being able to go to NAB.
Because I used to be a work study student for Mike, learning about the up and
coming technology did not only help me while at school, but since I have been
away from school as well”, said Coonan.
Pietrowski’s office in Duffy Academic Building
is filled with countless pictures of himself and celebrities and public figures
that he has met as a direct result in being involved in this industry.
Some notable people include Pope John Paul II, Morgan Freeman and Ronald Regan.
Because he has worked hard and achieved the expertise that he has,
opportunities like this have come about.
It’s perks like this that make it easier for Pietrowski to come back every year
to Stonehill. However, if it was not for the students that he
helps on a daily basis, he would not get nearly as much satisfaction out of the
job. His work with them both on and off campus has
helped develop students both academically and socially.
Mike Pietrowski is one of those good guys on Stonehill College’s campus.
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