Brian Winston, dean for the School of Communications, said his recent election to the Pennsylvania Humanities Council will allow him to better use his experiences in film and video.

The council, a non-profit organization that provides grants for projects in the humanities, elected Winston to a three-year term after receiving a nomination from Larry Gross, a communication professor at Annenburg School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Some programs the council provides funds for include lectures by scholars and films to help citizens understand topics in the humanities. Winston said he believes that his major contributions to the council will be film and video oriented.

"The council used to have a staff member until very recently, who was an expert film maker," Winston said. "The staff member moved on and there was virtually nobody on the council who could evaluate the proposals that come before the council in terms of video and things of that sort."

As a council member, Winston said he will use his skill to review proposals from film makers specializing in the humanities who are trying to receive funds provided by the council.

Winston said memberships to organizations like the council are important not only to the individual, but also to the School of Communications and the University.

"Certainly there are projects around here, community projects and even some University projects that might be suitable for funding," he said.

He joins two current council members from State College: Marjorie Dunaway and Judith Van Herik, a University professor of religious studies and women's studies.

Winston brings much academic and professional experience to the council. He won an Emmy Award in 1985 and has hosted and produced radio and television programs both in the United States and in England. Winston also serves in several professional organizations like the Writers Guild of America.

R. Thomas Berner, professor-in-charge of journalism, said Winston's background will enable him "to appreciate the array of areas the council will rule on."

Comprised of 31 members, the council is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Through programming it seeks to enhance the quality of life in Pennsylvania.

The council has three major goals: playing a major role in adult education, creating a more thoughtful civic life and establishing regional and statewide networks for the humanities, she said.