Chris Rolinson, M.F.A.

Professor of Digital Journalism
Chair of Faculty

Contact Information

• Office: 1004 Thayer Hall
• Phone: 412-392-3411
• Fax: 412-392-3917
• Email: crolinson@pointpark.edu

Education

• M.F.A., Film and Digital Technology, Chatham University
• M.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, Point Park University
• B.A., Art, Slippery Rock University

Courses Taught

• Photojournalism I, II
• Documentary Photography
• Introduction to Digital Photography
• Studio Photography
• Specialized Photography
• Mass Communication courses

Background

As a student in the Slippery Rock University Art Department, Christopher Rolinson discovered his passion for photography after a tour of duty in the U.S. Army. He merged fine art photography with communication and politics. Upon graduation, he practiced photojournalism in rural Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Rolinson has worked professionally as a staff photojournalist and freelance multimedia journalist for regional and national publications, and is a short documentary film producer.

With his students, he produced a documentary film about the ongoing environmental recovery in America’s largest superfund site along the Clark Fork River in western Montana. The film Superfund: Tailing History was screened during the 2019 Pittsburgh Wild and Scenic Film Festival, 2019 River Restoration Northwest: Stories of Our Watershed Film Festival and the 2019 Montana International Film Festival.

In addition to his academic and professional work, he volunteers his media relations skills to several local organizations including the Coraopolis Train Station project, the Hollow Oak Land Trust and the Slippery Rock-based Potters Water Action Group.

Digital Journalism Student Experience

Advisor

• The Globe

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

• National Press Photographers Association
• The Society for Environmental Journalism
• The American Society of Media Photographers

Selected Presentation

• "Long Term Projects for the Professor," National Press Photographers Association, 2010

Selected Works and Expeditions

• Superfund: Tailing History, filmmaker and photographer
• Renew Wheeling, filmmaker and photographer
• #lunchhourpgh, still photography, River Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio
• The Veteran's Breakfast Club, filmmaker and photographer
• Amistad National Recreation Area National Park Service Artist-in-Residence

Research Interests

• Narrative storytelling
• Photojournalism
• Visual ethnography
• Documentary filmmaking

Selected Award

• Selected as one of Pittsburgh's '40 under 40,' 2011

Point Park Features

• "Point Park Students Produce Film About Ongoing Clean-Up of SuperFund Site on Upper Clark Fork River," Point Park University website, March 6, 2019. 
• "Faculty Profile: Meet Christopher Rolinson, Associate Professor of Photojournalism," Point Park University website, July 22, 2014.
• "Photography, Engineering Department Collaborate on Camera Dolly Project," Point Park University website, May 21, 2013.
• "Silk Road Exhibit Provides Practical Experience for Photography Students," Point Park University website, May 6, 2013.
• "Professor Records War Stories for Veteran Voices of Pittsburgh," Point Park University website, June 14, 2012.
• "Rolinson Named One of Pittsburgh's '40 Under 40'," Point Park University website, Oct. 31, 2011.
• "Photo Book Depicts Beauty of State Parks," Point Park University website, Dec. 7, 2009.

In the News

• "Pittsburgh Company Guarantees Photos Will Last Forever," KDKA-TV, Dec. 18, 2015.
• "Renovations Under Way at Coraopolis Train Station," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Dec. 9, 2015.
• "Listen to Veterans' Combat Stories for Invaluable Perspective," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 29, 2015.
• "Effort Underway to Restore Iconic Coraopolis Train Station," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 17, 2015.
• "Foundation Makes Online Plea to Preserve Coraopolis Railroad Station," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, March 19, 2015.
• "Artists' Exhibit at Carnegie Museum of Art Shows the Power of a Photo," Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 3, 2014.
• "Braddock-Based Group Works on Filters for the Water in Nigeria," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Aug. 22, 2013.