Fieberg Fellow 'Grateful' for School of Film and Television Scholarship
Prior to coming to LMU last fall, freshman Jasminn Williams prepared herself for “the worst” in terms of tough college coursework. “I knew it was going to be difficult,” she says. “I’m taking a screenwriting class and we [recently had to write] a screenplay – and I do not consider myself a writer. I prefer editing.” However, she says her screenwriting class with Associate Professor Stephen Duncan -- while being her most challenging course -- is her favorite.
Williams first experienced LMU’s School of Film and Television (SFTV) as a student at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles when she participated in SFTV’s Summer Creative Workshop. The program brings outstanding students to LMU for two weeks of hands-on training in the filmmaking process. After taking part in the program, Williams was offered a Fieberg Fellows Scholarship, named for the leadership gift fom LMU Board of Regents member Paul Fieberg and his wife Patti, to attend LMU and pursue film editing.
“My mom had to tell everybody,” she says, laughing. “She felt like she won a million dollars. When I first heard the numbers, they didn’t seem real."
“I have friends who have to worry about their loans coming in on time and I just thank God I don’t have to worry. And I’m grateful for that,” she says. The film & television production major says had she not won the scholarship, she would likely be attending California State University, Northridge. She’s glad she ended up at LMU.
Williams especially enjoys the “close-knit family” feel of LMU. “You feel like one with the campus,” she explains. She says students reached out to her in person and via Facebook to invite her to get involved in campus activities -- gestures she appreciated as a first-year student. “A benefit of choosing LMU over any other school is the support system,” Williams adds. “If you’re looking for professors who are here for you and want to teach you, and you want that one-on-one attention, it’s a good choice academically.”