LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Nov. 10, 2006) – Paula Dempsey honored her filmmaker husband and business partner at a surprise luncheon at UALR Friday where many of central Arkansas’ media and business elite gathered to christen the School of Mass Communication’s media production facility “The Demp Dempsey Television Studio.”

“Paula has established a new endowment, the proceeds from which will be used to permanently maintain and upgrade broadcast equipment at UALR’s digital television studio,” said Bob Denman, UALR’s executive director of development and himself a former central Arkansas broadcast executive. “Demp is a true veteran of his craft with 30 years directing experience and a Cleo nomination to his credit. Putting his name on the door of a studio that will educate future directors for Arkansas film and broadcast operations is a fitting tribute.”

The Dempseys own and operate Dempsey Film Group, the Mid-South’s largest, most awarded full-service production house for film and video.

Established with an initial gift, the endowment will produce an ongoing source of revenue that will be used to purchase and upgrade equipment to keep the studio state of the art.

“Our students learn in a real-world environment where new technology often outpaces our resources,” said Professor Jamie M. Byrne, director of the UALR School of Mass Communication. “We are so grateful to the Dempseys for providing our students the chance to learn with the technology their future profession demands.”

Paula Dempsey was able to lure her husband to the surprise luncheon on the top floor of UALR’s Stabler Building by telling him it was a meeting of the advisory board for the school. Dempsey is a member of that board. Instead, he found broadcasters and production professionals, UALR officials, faculty, and students ready to applaud him and tour the newly named studio.