The large scale, media productions of student led programs to the campus’s highly regarded Nobel Committee Series and Christmas in Christ Chapel are put on yearly to much success and celebration. The man behind the technology of it all is looking forward to a change in position.

Matt Dobosenski ’99, currently the Coordinator in Media Services and Gustavus Technology Services, will transition into the role of Event Support Specialist, a position he will hold in the Student Activities Office.

“[During my time at Gustavus], there has been a huge push on education technology and applying technology to academic situations. That’s where media services come into play. We’ve been more involved on campus and doing signature events such as Nobel and C in CC,” Dobosenski said.

Dobosenski, Director of Student Activities Megan Ruble, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Life Dr. JoNes R. VanHecke ’88, along with other members of campus have been in conversation about how they could provide better technical support for the myriad of events on campus. Events on campus have increased in quantity and scope and range from visiting academics speakers to athletic events to highly regarded events like the Nobel Conference series and Christmas in Christ Chapel.

They ultimately decided to create the Event Support Specialist position with Dobosenski in mind. The position will allow Dobosenski use his unique skill set in media technology and communications to support faculty and student led events on campus.

“My hope now is that students and staff who need technical support outside of the classroom will know that Student Activities is the place to make requests and get information.  In addition to the Campus Center and Student Union, we are excited to build on existing partnerships that the former Media Services department had with Athletics, the Chapel, Dining Services, and special events,” Ruble said.

Previously, support and resources were scattered about campus in various departments. The creation of the position will ensure that faculty and students will have more support with their organizations.

“There hasn’t ever really been a single, cohesive way to support events on campus. As different technology and media positions changed, skills don’t necessarily transfer and different experiences lead to different challenges. These needs have always existed, but there hasn’t been a singular entity that has provided support for all these events,” Dobosenski said.

Dobosenski hopes that certain services will be delegated differently as to better suit the needs of media constituents. Relocating such services as camera rental to the library instead of the Art and Communication department will hopefully make more sense and be more efficient. Other changes will include moving large format printing and lamination to Print Services and passport photos will now be taken at the ID card office in Dining Services. Many of the changes are tentative.

The new process of obtaining assistance from department will affect faculty and students who have a hand in ensuring their own events run smoothly. It will hold people more accountable in the process of their events.

“We definitely want to make the constituent more involved and aware in their own events throughout the entire process so that they won’t be surprised or rushed later due to confusion or lack of communication,” Dobosenski said.

Another goal for Dobosenski is to continue to build a team of highly skilled students who will be trained extensively in media services so that they will be prepared to assist in running large media technology events.

“Personally I’m excited to take the expertise that Matt Dobosenski provides along with our office’s proven success in programming and utilizing student employees to improve processes and procedures,” Ruble said.

Senior Drew Jensen has been working closely with Dobosenski since sophomore year and credits Dobosenski as an unsung hero on faculty.

“He’s the only full time staff member in Media Services. So it’s basically him and 6 student workers who help when they can.  His knowledge is needed for events to go on. He makes events work when they seem like they shouldn’t and he often does go out of his way to make sure these things run smoothly. He never seems like he is just sitting around. And he accepts that and seems to really enjoy his job,” Jensen said.

“Most of the student workers come in without experience, and Dobo has helped us  with his expertise, and now we’ve been trying to train in sophomore and freshmen it’s a really young squad and pass down experience and knowledge that we can,” Jensen said.

The change has been a long time coming for many. In the past few years, Media services has evolved into a successful, multifaceted department largely due to Dobosenski. This change will hopefully allow for the department to run more efficiently and for Dobosenski to more effectively use his talents and be recognized for them.

“I began going to Nobel during my sophomore year of high school. If someone would’ve told me that I would one day be the man in charge of running [the media aspect of] it all, I would have never believed it,” Dobosenski said.