On Friday, March 2, the Communications Department installed a mural in Leavenworth Hall recognizing the many special contributions that make up their department.  

Before the mural, the wall in the computer lab of Leavenworth was empty. 

Communication and graphic design students who comprise the Content Lab club, along with co- advisor Sam Davis-Boyd and other Communications faculty, wanted to find a way to create something special that would define the program.  

“We spent a lot of time trying to figure out what we could do with that space. How do we define the Communications program? We were trying to figure out how to brand a space. After talking with faculty and the Communications program and some students, they landed on the design that is the finished product. And I think everyone is really, really happy with it,” Boyd said.  

She elaborated that the depictions in the mural, like The Castleton Spartan newspaper, a microphone and film tools, illustrate what the department offers. 

Before coming up with the final design, Content Lab Co-President Ruben Somda said they had a few ideas that they were originally considering.  

“We had a few designs that we did initially like. There was one that was kind of leaning more towards a postcard design. There were also a few [that were] diner-vibish. We were able to land out a more simplified design that kind of worked in the VTSU colors,” he said.  

The overall goal was for the Content Lab to leave something positive for the department  for everyone to see. 

“This is something tangible, where we can come back and know this is something we made in 2025. This is kind of us leaving our mark on our program, and that’s the tangible evidence of it,” he said.   

Content Lab member Colby Tucker led the art side of the project with help from Ashleah Adams. 

Tucker said he was thrilled with how it turned out and expressed what this project meant to him. 

“The process was fun and collaborative. We spent time making sure the design really fit the space and represented the energy of the COM Lab. I think it shows that the graphic design students deserve more recognition and access to the resources here at Castleton. It feels good knowing we left something behind that’ll hopefully inspire others,” he said. Adams said the project was a lot of fun, but there was a bit of pressure because it is permanent. 

“We all agreed that it needed to show us moving forward together the different programs in the Communcation department living as one. Unity was at the forefront of our brains when designed this.” she said.