Failure was going back home. 

As May approached, I knew where I would not be. However, where I would be was still unclear. My Film Production degree provided the creative and technical skills necessary for a job in the film industry but there was no path to success.

When I was approached about taking the job of Production and Facilities Manager for the School of Visual Art & Design by Professor George, I was honored. It is not often a recent graduate is entrusted with this level of freedom and responsibility. A continuation of the creative process, my role has taught me to communicate, lead, and listen. Surrounded by inspiring mentors and enthusiastic students, I would not want to find my way anywhere else.

Personal Recommendations

David George

Film Program Coordinator - School of Visual Art & Design

As a recent graduate of the School of Visual Art and Design's film program, Mark brings a unique perspective to his responsibilities in the SVAD. Our facilities at Ledford Hall have never been more organized and functional than they have been under Marks oversight.  He conceived of and spearheaded a number of initiatives to make Ledford more use friendly to students, to educate them better on policies and equipment use, and to foster responsibility and cooperation within the film community. He is indispensable in facilitating efforts to reach out to prospective students, including educational workshops at Campion and Spencerville Academies.  He’s also played a strong supporting role in the Life After Film School research project, gone on numerous recruiting trips, and helped make the campus more welcoming to visitors.

As the head of the production company Mark has maintained high quality production values and has been a consistent advocate for student interests.  He also has visited with me on a regular basis for advice on how to best navigate the many political and financial challenges that the production company has faced over the past year, demonstrating a sincere passion to do his best even when working outside of his sphere of experience and comfort. I feel that Mark is well positioned to become one of the most important assets that the SVAD has for interfacing with visitors, clients, and students.

Nicholas Livanos

Assistant Professor - School of Visual Art & Design

What I've really appreciated this last year in Mark Comberiate is his initiative to go above and beyond the call of duty. He stepped into his role as Ledford Lighting Lab Facilities/Equipment Manager, and didn't just pick up status quo. He envisioned what the facility could be, and then spent a ton of time and energy making that organizational vision a reality. It's easier than it has ever been to find what you need, and to make sure things go back where they belong.

If attention to detail within his job description wasn't enough, Mark has taken strides to facilitate successful enrollment initiatives for the School of Visual Art & Design (a task not directly assigned to him). He been tremendously helpful planning and executing trips all year long, and has gone the extra mile to maintain positive relations between SVAD and the enrollment office. I'm so glad Mark has joined our team. He keeps making things better in ways I hadn't even hoped for yet.

Rick Anderson

Admissions Counselor & Ministry Coordinator - Southern Adventist Univeristy

Mark Comberiate’s unique set of talents have been a huge asset to the recruitment efforts of Southern Adventist University. Beyond his technical abilities as a filmmaker and production manager, he has a way of connecting with people that makes them feel valued. He gives of himself, his talents, his time, and his attention to others unselfishly and represents Southern to prospective students and families with our unique brand of Southern hospitality and care!

Mark has shared his film projects and been a part of several recruitment trips across the United States. He has met with prospective students in classrooms, conducted screenings of projects created by Southern students, and made himself available on those trips to talk with individual prospective students about the opportunities that lie within the School of Visual Art & Design.

In research conducted by Ruffalo Noel Levitz and Credo (enrollment consultants that Southern has contracted with), it has been shown that Campus Visits are the greatest tool in convincing a student that Southern is the best fit for them. Mark has been one of the staff on this campus that has made a meaningful impact on campus visits for many prospective students. He has volunteered to be an ambassador for the School of Visual Art & Design to ensure that guests have an awesome experience in that department! He goes above and beyond the call, walking with guests across campus, working with professors to get guests into classes, and spending his own time making sure they have a great experience.

Kyler Potter

Student Employee - SVAD Productions

I have worked with/for the SVAD Production Company in various capacities for a couple years now, and I have to say that my experience this year has been fantastic, and that it better prepared me to take on life as a filmmaker after college. Thanks to Mark’s hard work, and his striving to get students involved, I was able to work on more projects that I had ever before with the production company. Being given the opportunity to work in a professional capacity while in school is so valuable because it is the best way to get ready for a career in this industry. I was able to find a job right after graduation, and I have to give some of the credit to Mark and to my time at the Production Company for preparing me for professional life. The goal of the SVAD Production Company as I’ve seen it has always been to get students involved creating quality professional work in order to prepare them for their careers, and this year it has done that more than ever before.

Wendel Uren

Student Employee - Ledford Lighting Lab

I found working for Mark Comberiate to be a good experience this last year. He made sure that the lab was organized and was always available to address issues, while still allowing me the freedom to address problems on my own. Having worked at the lab in previous years I felt that under Mark’s direction the lab has been its best yet. He spent the time to make sure that the equipment was organized in a way that allowed facilitators to get things done quickly and efficiently. He cared about the facilitators and students alike. And addressed any issues in a fair unbiased manner. Under Mark’s direction I felt that I was given the opportunity to solve issues and fix equipment, while still being able to talk to Mark if issues arose. Mark is easy to talk to about anything which is really a good quality in a supervisor. I am happy that I had the opportunity to work for him and look forward to continuing to work for him in the future.