Video by David Morales of Ithaca Featured in the New York Times

BUFFALO, NY (11/07/2011)(readMedia)-- David Morales of Ithaca, N.Y., received a bit of unexpected fame when a video he created was featured in the New York Times. The video, "BSC Orientation Flash Mob," was part of the article "College Flash Mobs Become Pep Rallies Made for YouTube" on October 3.

Morales, a graduate of Ithaca High School, offered to film and edit a video of Buffalo State students and staff performing a flash mob dance routine during summer orientation. "I volunteered due to my filming experience," the senior media production major said. "I was simply going to record the flash mob for the college to have the footage. I had no idea it would be such a huge success."

When the New York Times ran the story about the popularity of college flash mobs, they cited Morales's video. Since then, more than 3,000 people have viewed the video.

"I'm just doing what I love," Morales said. "I enjoy what I do because people love seeing themselves, and that's how I make them smile."

Morales is the president of the Rho Psi chapter of the national communication honor society, Lambda Pi Eta. He is also the associate director for video marketing and communication for the SUNY Student Assembly. Upon graduating in May 2012, he plans to pursue a career in news or sports media in the Western New York area.

Buffalo State's communication department is the only SUNY program to be accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.