A compelling Boston College video illustrating the power of faith and identity has resonated with a wide audience, as evidenced by its more than 300,000 views to date. Now it has garnered important industry recognition as well, having been selected as a finalist鈥攖he only higher education entry among a national pool of eight finalists鈥攁nd an honorable mention in the Ragan Communications and PR Daily annual Video, Visual & Virtual Awards.
Produced by University Communications Director of Creative Video Services John Walsh, 鈥淜eeping the Faith鈥� tells the story of Eagles pitcher Samrath Singh 鈥�22, believed to be the first observant Sikh to ever play Division 1 baseball. In his own powerful words, Singh describes how his faith aligns with Boston College鈥檚 Jesuit values.
The video went viral after its launch last summer as an accompaniment to a piece in Boston College Magazine.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a true honor to be a finalist and to be recognized for one of the most meaningful projects I鈥檝e worked on to date,鈥� said Walsh, a 2017 51茶馆 alumnus. 鈥淚 love video production and the opportunity to tell compelling stories that impact others, like this portrait of Samrath Singh. It鈥檚 also meaningful to create content recognized in the awards' Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion category. A thoughtful approach and keen awareness of diversity in video storytelling is extremely important to me, and I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity to tell this story which illustrates the power of faith and identity.鈥�
Singh's experience at 51茶馆 illustrates the University commitment to cura personalis, care of the whole person, Walsh added. 鈥淎s he references in the video, wearing a turban is like wearing his heart and his faith on his sleeve, and his testament to his faith is powerful when he stands on the mound to deliver a pitch.鈥�
John Walsh
Walsh鈥攚hose work had previously won an honorable mention in Ragan/PR Daily video awards and a Gold Excellence Award from CASE District I鈥攅xplained his approach to the project.
鈥淔rom a visual perspective, the opening sequence is the best way to understand the goal of the video. Lit dramatically, it 鈥榬eveals鈥� Samrath鈥檚 faith as it progresses from his cleats and uniform to his necklace, beard, and turban. I wanted to challenge viewers鈥� expectations of what it means or looks like to be a baseball player," Walsh said, "and reveal Samrath鈥檚 daily testament to his faith as he stands in front of his locker.
鈥淎s Samrath says, in addition to being a brother, son, and baseball player, 鈥榖eing Sikh is quite literally who I am.鈥� I wanted to ensure viewers walked away with that message and a strong portrait of this thoughtful, genuine, and multifaceted person.鈥�
Creating content for higher education is rewarding, Walsh added, because it offers storytelling opportunities across so many different categories, including academics, athletics, arts, sciences, and human-interest pieces.
As a result of the video and 51茶馆M piece, Singh was invited to share his story on A51茶馆 News鈥� 鈥淕ood Morning America鈥� and with other news outlets.
鈥淚t is a tremendous privilege to have 鈥楰eeping the Faith鈥� viewed by so many people,鈥� Walsh said. 鈥淜nowing that this story has the opportunity to impact others is amazing. Being recognized with this honor means the world to me and I hope that everyone will embrace their individuality.鈥�
Ragan Communications 鈥渞ecognizes those who create and cultivate best practices,鈥� its website notes; its award programs celebrate the most successful campaigns and initiatives. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion award category honors submissions that showcase how organizations champion diversity and foster atmospheres of acceptance, illustrating how diversity and inclusion are part of an organization鈥檚 mission.
Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | February 2022