Guilford College’s Intimate Learning Surroundings Fuels Student Filmmaker’s Success
Greensboro, NC - A first-year Guilford College student is already turning heads with his filmmaking, a success he attributes directly to the personalized attention fostered by the school’s small class sizes. Walt Reuning ’28, a film studies major, recently produced a highly-praised educational video that showcased not only his editing skills but also the supportive environment at Guilford.
Reuning initially envisioned a traditional path – general education courses leading to a career in film, drawn to the meticulous craft of editing. Though, he quickly discovered the profound impact of a learning environment where professors know students by name and actively nurture their potential.
That experience crystallized during his First-Year Seminar last fall, where students were tasked with creating an educational video. Reuning, collaborating with classmate Wyatt Hawks ’28, chose to reimagine the local legend of the haunting at Mary Hobbs Hall.
Their approach was a playful parody of ghost-hunting shows, featuring Reuning himself as a somewhat hapless investigator. The resulting video was lauded for its humor, pacing, and polished editing. Professor Chad Phillips, Visiting Assistant Professor in Film, was particularly impressed. “I’ve never had it where I don’t have any comments,” Phillips recalls. “He nailed it on the first try.”
For Reuning, the positive feedback was notable, but the support from Phillips proved even more valuable. ”Chad makes coming to class special, all my professors do,” he says. ”In a way they’re more then professors. They’re here to help you succeed.”
Reuning contrasts this experience with the potential anonymity of larger universities. “If you’re one of 120 kids in a lecture, you probably never even talk to the professor,” he explains. “At Guilford, you do. They know you. They get what you need.”
This emphasis on individual attention was a key factor in Reuning’s decision to attend Guilford. He describes the learning experience as a dialog, not a monologue. “it’s not just showing up, listening to someone for 80 minutes, and leaving,” he says. “Guilford professors actually talk with you about where you want to go and explain to you how to get there.”
Phillips, who previously taught at a large state university, echoes this sentiment. “Our students are not just a class of unkown student numbers,” he says. “Everyone has a name and a different way of learning. I love that I get a chance to meet them where they are in their learning.”
Reuning is now focused on developing his skills in video editing and is also exploring Experiential Design as a potential minor or second major.He’s driven by a passion for storytelling, regardless of the medium. He believes Guilford’s community-focused approach has been instrumental in building his confidence and forging valuable connections. “It’s meaningful,” he says. ”It makes you feel like you’re not just part of a system, but part of a community.”
Those interested in learning more about guilford College can contact Steve Mencarini at mencarinism@guilford.edu.
