For 40 years, TUTV has produced informative weekly shows out of Kendall Hall. The studio space itself is a throwback to different eras of the show, with 1970s furniture and donated set pieces from local television stations. Among these sets, University of Tulsa students created news and lifestyle segments, filmed reviews and conducted interviews under the guidance of their adviser, David Moncrief.
Moncrief was a fixture of TUTV for many decades, guiding students with kindness and patience. A relentlessly student-first mentor, he supervised more than 500 tapings of the program during his time at UTulsa. “Behind the scenes, he was putting in so much work editing the shows, fixing things up and making everything look professional,” said TUTV studio manager Steven Buchele (B.S./B.A. ’17, M.S. ’25).
A seasoned professional in local television news and public broadcasting, Moncrief supervised students through hands-on experience working in a manually operated news station. This guidance often created a pipeline from TUTV to the local news scene, with many graduates going on to work in television as on-air talent, producers and camera operators. “David made sure he stayed in contact with alumni and the community,” said Buchele. “He made sure that TUTV was a place where you could get real experience in broadcast journalism.”
Moncrief passed away last fall, but his impact on the lives of his colleagues and students extended beyond the TUTV studio walls. “He was the kindest and most gentle spirit,” recalled former TUTV producer Lizzie Lehde (B.A./B.S.B.A. ’08). “He made every single person who walked through the studio doors feel welcome and valued.”
“Dave was the Mr. Rogers of UTulsa,” said alumnus Daniel Tarr (B.A. ’10). “He was a perennial figure for so many of us, whose grace, kindness and example have lasted with us throughout our lives and will continue to do so.”
While the studio has evolved, the spirit of mentorship and professionalism Moncrief built remains central to TUTV. The set has been refreshed – including backlit displays featuring the downtown Tulsa skyline, which were recently donated by local news station KOTV. “The generous gift from the crew at News on 6 gives our students a sense that we aren’t just making television on campus,” said Applied Associate Professor Quraysh Ali Lansana, TUTV’s new faculty adviser. “We’re making TV news.”
Lansana took over advising of TUTV in fall 2025. “It’s been amazing,” he said. “It reminds me a great deal of my days as an undergraduate broadcast journalism major at the University of Oklahoma. I really enjoyed the excitement, intensity and fun of producing television every day, and I’m really enjoying reliving those memories and experiences with the students.”
Lansana brings his own journalistic expertise to the table, having spent almost four decades in journalism, whether it be print or broadcast, television or radio. In addition to teaching in Kendall College of Arts & Sciences’ English & Creative Writing and Media & Communication departments, Lansana serves as executive producer of NPR’s “Focus: Black Oklahoma,” an award-winning radio program that sheds light on issues relevant to marginalized communities statewide.
Since Lansana has taken over, he has emphasized the importance of a diverse skillset and journalistic practices and ethics. “I believe in balanced journalism, and I have pretty high standards for what I expect out of my students,” he said.
Under his guidance, Lansana aims to prepare students for the work required of multimedia journalists, a staple of the ever-evolving broadcast industry. “It’s important for students to learn all aspects of production,” he said. “We rotate responsibilities in the studio so students can gain a real sense of expertise in each role and the shows air as cleanly as possible.”
He considers it a great honor to follow in Moncrief’s footsteps. “I never had the chance to meet David,” said Lansana. “I know that he lives in very high regard and esteem in the minds of those who have worked with him. I feel honored to be able to continue his legacy.”