September 5, 2002

As Director of Multi-Media Services at La Salle University, David Munchak Wants to "Take Away the Fear of Technology"

If you had a choice between playing with toys or going to work every day, which would you choose? David Munchak gets to do both. It is easy to envy Munchak as you imagine him tinkering with a new digital camera, but that is only part of his job as Director of Multimedia Services at La Salle University.

"Every day is something new, a challenge," said Munchak, who is responsible for providing the technological needs of the La Salle community, whether it is helping a student learn the basics of using a computer or a faculty member with a power point presentation.

"I can sense their new confidence in the equipment and how grateful they are for learning something new," says Munchak. "I want to take away the fear of technology."

Munchak also assists other campus offices with the pricing and purchasing of equipment. He also sets up sounds system equipment for campus events, such as the ceremony welcoming incoming freshmen and their parents. He oversees a staff of 10 to 12 work-study students.

He attended La Salle as an English and Digital Arts major. For all four of his years, he had a work-study job for the Multimedia Department. Just as he was graduating, the office's director position became vacant when Jo Anne Snarponis was promoted to Coordinator of Distributed Education. She suggested he take the job on an interim basis. This past summer, he was named full-time director.

"I feel right at home," he says.

In high school, Munchak was interested in video and home theater, but it wasn't until he came to La Salle that he really began learning about multimedia. "I learn something new here everyday," he said.

A native of Taylor, Pennsylvania, Munchak now resides in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia.

By Katie Esposito