Liam Castellano ’27 opens Fall 2026 Page to Podium Lecture Series
University News | September 8, 2026
The H.C. Hofheimer II Library opened its Fall 2026 Page to Podium Lecture Series on September 2 with a presentation from Batten University senior Liam Castellano ’27, who explored how student journalism can evolve to reach audiences in an increasingly visual and social media-driven world. Castellano, a media & communication major and staff photographer and videographer for Batten’s Office of Marketing & Communications, presented “Making Headlines Move: Adapting Student Journalism for the Age of Social Media.” His presentation highlighted a project that combined his academic interests, professional skills and passion for visual storytelling while creating a new avenue for student newspaper, The Marlin Chronicle (MC),to engage readers.
During his junior year, Castellano discovered that he was two credits short of completing his degree requirements. Rather than simply looking for a conventional way to earn those credits, an idea that would allow him to put his talents to work got him thinking about the possibilities.
Castellano was approached by the MC Editor in Chief Lily Reslink '26 and adviser Dr. Lisa Lyon Payne about creating a video editor position for The Chronicle. Reslink was interested in turning it into a multimedia enterprise. The concept was straightforward but innovative: transform selected written stories into one- to two-minute social media videos designed to capture viewers’ attention and encourage them to read the full articles. The project gave Castellano an opportunity to bridge traditional student journalism with the ways audiences increasingly consume news and information online.
To determine which stories to adapt, Castellano considered both the visual potential of the subject matter and topics that he could personally support. During his presentation, he shared examples of the videos he produced, including a story about Norfolk Taphouse, which offered opportunities for engaging B-roll, and coverage of VTAG Advocacy, for which Castellano traveled with fellow students to the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond to advocate for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.
In total, Castellano created six videos adapted from The Marlin Chronicle articles, along with six additional videos designed specifically for social media. The project not only fulfilled his two-credit requirement but also provided The Marlin Chronicle with another avenue for telling the stories of the Batten community.
For Castellano, however, the project was about more than simply increasing readership. It demonstrated the unique ability of visual journalism to create a deeper connection between audiences and the people and events behind a story.
“Photojournalism is so important,” Castellano said. “It allows us to connect on a very human level. Recontextualizing events enables us to realize that very human impact. This project focused on the immersive power of storytelling through visual media.”
His presentation offered a timely example of how students can use creativity and experiential learning to address real-world challenges while contributing to the University community.
A Forum for Scholarship and Discovery
Castellano’s presentation also set the tone for the Fall 2026 Page to Podium Lecture Series, which provides a space for students, faculty and the broader campus community to gather for dialogue, discovery and scholarly exchange. Each lecture takes place during the lunch hour, offering members of the campus community an opportunity to step away from their daily routines and engage in an academic conversation.
The series is held in the Athenaeum’s Forum in the H.C. Hofheimer II Library. As Batten University’s center for experiential learning, the Athenaeum provides a fitting setting for a series focused on sharing ideas and connecting academic work with a broader community. The Athenaeum brings together four academic support programs under one roof, helping students connect classroom learning with real-world internships, global study, faculty-mentored research and community engagement.
The Fall 2026 series features eight presentations, alternating between student and faculty scholars and covering a diverse range of topics, from journalism and artificial intelligence to science fiction, mathematics, genetics and astronomy.
Together, the presentations showcase the breadth of scholarship taking place across campus while providing students and faculty with an opportunity to share their work with a wider audience.
Upcoming Fall 2026 Presentations
September 9, noon–1 p.m.
April Christman and Dr. Benjamin Dobrin — AI and the Future of Social Work Practice
September 16, noon–1 p.m.
Abe Nemon — Politics and Science Fiction: 100 Years of Strange Nova
September 30, noon–12:45 p.m.
Emma Sipes — Rough Draft Math: A Look Into the Classroom
October 7, noon-12:45 p.m.
Dr. Carol Johnson, Emerging Grammar: Why Students' Grammar Mistakes Aren't Always Wrong
October 14, noon–12:45 p.m.
Dr. Caitlin Williams — Incorporating Research into Courses: Developing a CURE for Genetics Students
October 28, noon–1 p.m.
Laila Jones — Statistical Analysis of Radio AGN Jets
November 11, noon–1 p.m.
Dr. Benjamin Haller — Polycrates, Petubastis, and the Poets: Betrayal, Murder, and Empire in a Sixth Century Greek Tyranny
From the evolving landscape of journalism to the intersections of artificial intelligence, social work, science fiction, mathematics, genetics, astronomy and the humanities, the Fall 2026 Page to Podium series reflects the wide-ranging scholarship and experiential learning taking place at Batten University.
Like Castellano’s presentation, the series invites the campus community to look beyond the classroom—to ask questions, exchange ideas and discover new ways of understanding the world.