Longtime meteorologist Edward Saint Pé has donated his library of 450 films to Jackson State University to be used as a teaching resource for students.
“I hope the library will inspire a new generation of artists coming through JSU for many years to come,” said Saint Pé, founder of WeatherVision – the nation’s first television weathercast syndication service. “Students in communications, theater and other areas can utilize the films to drill down on what a director or actor or writer did in a particular film, gaining insight into the process of filmmaking and giving context for their own original work.”
Anthony L. Holloman, JSU’s vice president for Institutional Advancement, expressed excitement over the receipt of the extensive collection.
“I am pleased that JSU students will be able to use this film library going forward and feel it will be helpful as we train media and communications professionals here at JSU for the future.”
Saint Pé said, “Much collaboration, brainpower and raw talent went into the making of each film. Watching and studying them can help students get a feel of what can be done in their own films.”
In addition to WeatherVision, Saint Pé is a broadcast meteorology professor at JSU. He has worked as an on-air meteorologist for more than two decades and is founder and director of the Mississippi International Film Festival, which hosts films from around the world and has welcomed visitors such as actor Danny Glover and musician Lance Bass.