Do you enjoy a show about an office in Scranton?

Then, get ready for “The Phone-a-Thon”: a new web series – created, written, and produced by and starring Ohio University students – depicting the lives of four Ohio University Phone-a-Thon callers.

See "The Phone-a-Thon" trailer now:

See Episodes 1-10 now!

At the “Phone-a-Thon”, our students strive for excellence as they reach out to you, our OU alumni, and reconnect you with your Alma Mater. Through their efforts, Ohio University completes more than 100,000 phone calls, secures approximately 13,500 gifts, and raises an average of $1 million each year from generous alumni and friends in support of OU’s colleges, students, faculty and programs.

Now… get a glimpse inside “The Phone-a-Thon.”

Created and written by Ohio University student Conor Hogan, a senior in the School of Media Arts & Studies, the “mockumentary” series – because it’s okay to laugh at ourselves – follows the social, emotional and professional ups and downs of Jake (Cole Woodruff), Liz (Victoria Little), Sue (Lisa Marie Summerscales) and Dan (Carmen Carfagna) through their senior year working as callers at the Ohio University Phone-a-Thon.

The primary cast is made up of students in the School of Theater. Casting assistance was provided by Associate Professor of Theater Shelley Delaney.

This collaborative project is being produced by students in Media Arts & Studies 319: Advanced Single-Camera Producing and Directing. Taught by Assistant Professor of Media Arts & Studies Casey Hayward, the class is responsible for producing and directing original video productions. The course includes all phases of the production process from concept development and art direction to filming and post production.

The 319 students will bring you five episodes this quarter (airing on your computer October through Jan.). Winter quarter’s students will produce the final five episodes of the season (airing Feb. through June).

So… get ready to enjoy “The Phone-a-Thon”. Premiere episode coming soon to an E-mail box near you!

About the "Phone-a-Thon" theme song

“Round on the End, High in the Middle, O-HI-O”

Witten by FRANK CRUMIT ’12
Arranged by PETER ECKLUND
Vocals by The Local Girls
Copyright 2003 The Local Girls

Richard Syracuse, Professor, Piano;
Guy Remonko, Professor, Percussion;
Chris Hayes, Asst. Prof, Trombone;
Jason Smith, Asst. Prof, Tuba;
Ernie Bastin, Professor, Trumpet;
John Horne, Private Instructor, Guitar;
Matt James, Asst. Prof, Soprano Sax

With the help of Mary Elizabeth Lasher Barnette ’42, George Bain and Bill Kimok, Dr. Mimi Hart ’71, ’99, began her research on Frank Crumit, “the sweet singer of Jackson County”, who began recording on Columbia records in 1920. With additional help from Carmalieta Jenkins at the Phi Delta Theta Foundation, Barbara Meister at The Ohioana Library and former Athenian Mary Frances Goldsberry Blair Lord '28, Hart learned a great deal about this successful Ohio songwriter, publisher and radio star.

Crumit left to pursue a career in music, by his attachment to Ohio University was life-long. While here he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and also plated on the football team. Although in 1919 he wrote the still sung “Buckeye Battle Cry” for another school, (his brother-in-law was OSU athletic director “Red” Trautman), he also wrote two songs for our school. Until his early death in 1943, he and his wife, Julia Sanderson, dubbed “The Singing Sweethearts”, hosted the NBC quiz show “Battle of the Sexes”, which ran for 14 years. His recordings sold in the millions; The New York Herald Tribune reported that one of his hits, “A Gay Caballero” sold 4 million copies. His reissued recordings are available at Alden Library.

Hart knew immediately that this song would benefit from a Dixieland style and the always-supportive Guy Remonko suggested this crackerjack grouping. Hart called her former bandmate, Peter Ecklund, who specializes in the period she hoped to evoke, and he created this lively version for Ohio University’s talented faculty and friends.