WPCC Program Director Jonathan Crumpler Speaks on DEAT Program

Jonathan Crumpler, Western Piedmont Community College’s Program Director of the Digital Effects and Animation Technology (DEAT) at Western Piedmont Community College, recently spoke on the college’s digital effects and simulation programs at the Rotary Club of Morganton’s club’s March 28th meeting.

Crumpler has directed the DEAT program since 2004 and has structured the curriculum to prepare students for the competitive, high-skills job market of motion graphic design and animation.

“We certainly get a lot of students that want to come in to have this type of experience for doing a variety of work,” Crumpler said.

The DEAT program integrates the high-tech digital computerization classes with traditional film and video production technology. The goal is to broaden students’ skills by including both digital and state-of-the-art DSLR equipment to meet the employment needs of local industry.

“The mission of the community college for us is to keep people in the area employed and support the industry that is here,” Crumpler said.

Crumpler emphasized the DEAT program’s interactive, hands-on work within the Morganton community. Students in the program have produced a number of video advertisements to help promote local establishments in the downtown area.

Crumpler provided an engaging overview of the technology available to us today. He stressed the impact digital films and virtual and augmented reality technology will have on the world as it continues to be refined.