The award-winning documentary airs on WVIA-TV 44.

The 26-minute documentary was directed, produced and edited by Dan Kimbrough, assistant professor of communications at Misericordia University. The production highlights the volunteer work of 19 Misericordia University students who visited East and West St. Tammany in south Louisiana in the spring of 2009. Their goals were to help rebuild houses with Habitat for Humanity and through their actions plant seeds of change for residents in need.

During the week-long service mission, students participated in local church services, toured the ravaged 9th Ward, attended a dedication for recently completed houses and helped complete 12 Habitat for Humanity houses. By week’s end, Misericordia students had hung interior and exterior doors, and completed painting, trimming and caulking projects for multiple homes to offer hope for the families of Slidell.

“The documentary follows them through their week and allows them to tell in their own words the impact their work had, not only on the Louisiana families, but also on them,’’ said Kimbrough. “While they helped make a change in the lives of others, they also noticed a change within themselves and I believe the documentary captures those changes.’’

The Videographer Awards recognized Kimbrough and the documentary by presenting him an Award of Distinction for the production. The award is presented for projects that exceed industry standards. The Videographer Awards is an international program directed by communication professionals to honor talented individuals and companies in the video production field. Entrants include video production companies, advertising and public relations firms, corporate communication departments, cable and broadcast television operations, government agencies, schools, independent producers and wedding and special event producers.

Kimbrough accompanied a team of MU students, faculty and staff as a volunteer and videographer in order to document the service-learning course, “Theology of the Church,’’ available through Campus Ministry. It marked the second spring break service trip for the Misericordia community since Hurricane Katrina damaged the Gulf Coast states.

Misericordia University is known for imbuing a sense of service in each student through a mixture of service-learning courses, volunteer work, clinical experiences and other opportunities. MU’s combination of challenging academics, professional preparation and service leadership produces graduates who are able to succeed in their personal and professional lives.

For more information about the Misericordia University Communications Department, please log on to www.misericordia.edu or call (570) 674-6400.

Caption:

Misericordia University volunteers, from left, Shannon Kane of Springfield, Pa.; Kate Farrigan of Farmingdale, N.Y.; Amanda Howatt of Coopersburg, Pa.; and Patrick McKamy, coordinator of students activities at MU, prepare molding for a Habitat for Humanity project in Slidell, La., during their 2009 spring break service trip. The trip is the subject of an award-winning documentary by Misericordia University assistant professor of communications Dan Kimbrough produced. It will be aired Nov. 5 at 9:30 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 11:30 p.m. on WVIA-TV 44.