FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153
 

WMUL receives 18 awards in national competition

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Students from WMUL-FM, Marshall University’s public radio station, received seven grand prize awards and 11 honorable mention awards during the National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho (NBS/AERho) 17th Annual National Student Audio/Video Scriptwriting and 45th Annual Audio/Video Production Awards Competition ceremony.

The event took place Saturday, March 15 at the Disney Paradise Pier Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

In addition to the student awards, Marshall Associate Professor of Journalism Dan Hollis’ video feature about Bridge Day 2007 titled “A View from the Bottom” was awarded first place in the News, Sports or Public Affairs category.

And, “Up Late,” Marshall’s student-run, late-night television show, received an honorable mention in the Best Television Musical Performance category for the performance of “A Nickel Ain’t Worth a Dime” by The Good Ol’ Boys and a Girl. Jamie LoFiego, instructor in the “Introduction to Vide Production” class, is host of “Up Late.”

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of Radio-Television Production and Management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University and faculty manager of WMUL-FM,   said that the WMUL students competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the United States. 

“No other school won more grand prizes or overall awards than WMUL-FM’s student broadcasters in the NBS scriptwriting, audio and online categories,” Bailey said. “Winning speaks well for Marshall University and the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, as the student broadcasters of WMUL-FM consistently earn top honors in direct competition with nationally recognized colleges and universities.”

The award for Hollis marked the fourth time in the past five years he has won first place in the category at the NBS convention.

“I use the videos as a teaching tool in my classes,” Hollis said, “but it’s always nice when others recognize the quality of your work.”

National Broadcasting Society-Alpha Epsilon Rho (NBS/AERho) has more than 1,500 student and professional members and has chapters on 88 college campuses.  The National Broadcasting Society (NBS) was founded in 1943, and its mission is to enhance the development of college and university students in telecommunication, broadcasting, cable and other electronic media.  Past and present members of the society number more than 35,000.  Alpha Epsilon Rho is the national honorary society composed of members selected from National Broadcasting Society (NBS) Chapters.

Marshall’s grand prize award-winning entries in production were:

Audio News Program

“The 5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” with producer Griffin McElroy, a junior from Huntington; news anchors Matthew Gajtka, a recent graduate from Weirton, W.Va.; Kimberly Burcham, a senior from Huntington; and sports anchor Robert Iddings, a sophomore from St. Albans, W.Va.; broadcast Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007.

Audio News Package

“Student Center Reopening,” written and produced by Deven Swartz, a senior from Philippi, W.Va., that was broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007.

Audio Instructional/Industrial/Promotional Program

“Have U Herd,” written and produced by Whitney Thomas, a junior from Wheeling, W.Va., and Jason Van Meter, a junior from Hurricane, W.Va., broadcast Thursday, March 15, 2007.  This entertainment program was focused on the student film “Maneater” featuring interviews with the director, writer and star David Smith and costar Ingrid Olsen.

Audio Comedy Program

“The Last Show Tonight: Best Show Ever,” written and produced by Adam Cavalier, a junior from Montgomery, W.Va., and Brian Dalek, a junior from McMechen, W.Va., broadcast Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007.

Audio Sports Package

“The Name’s Pronounced Due-biss-ee,” written and produced by Adam Cavalier, broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007.

Audio Sports Program

“We Are ... Marshall The Season: The 2006 Marshall Football Season in Review,” written and produced by Adam Cavalier, broadcast  prior to the Marshall vs. West Virginia football home opener Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007.

Audio Sports Play-By-Play Programming

WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Marshall University versus the University of New Hampshire football game played at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. The students calling the football game broadcast over FM 88.1 were football play-by-play announcer Adam Cavalier, color commentator Ryan Epling, a graduate student from Wayne; and sideline reporter Andrew Ramspacher, a sophomore from Dublin, Ohio. 

Marshall’s honorable mention awards in production went to:

Audio Feature Package

“The Pumpkin House: Trick or Treat Night,” written and produced by Adam Cavalier, that was broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007.

Audio Public Affairs/Interview Program

“On the Table,” a public affairs talk program, with hosts Chris Anastasia, a recent graduate from Huntington; Kenneth Cox, Jr., a senior from Glen White, W.Va.; Matt Sowards, a sophomore from Salt Rock, W.Va.; John Griffith, a sophomore from Huntington; and producer Deven Swartz; broadcast Tuesday, April 10, 2007. The guest featured on this edition of “On the Table” was John Rickey of the Huntington Area Food Bank 

Audio Public Affairs/Interview Program

“Sportsview,” a sports call-in program, with host Adam Cavalier, and producer Kenneth Cox, Jr., broadcast Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. The guests featured on this edition of “Sportsview” were the Herd Volleyball seniors.

Audio Comedy Segment

“Gee! Weren’t the 50’s Swell?” written and produced by Brian Dalek, broadcast during “The Last Show Tonight” Wednesday, April 25, 2007.

Audio Comedy Program

“The Last Show Tonight: Red Carpet Special,” written and produced by Adam Cavalier and Brian Dalek, broadcast Wednesday, March 7, 2007.

Audio Music/Entertainment Program

“Snob Rock Live! Warped Tour Special,” with hosts Terry Bartley,  a senior from Foster, W.Va.; Haley Keller, a senior from Franklin Furnace, Ohio;  Whitney Thomas; Joe Merkel, a senior from Ironton, Ohio; and Kyle Johnson, a senior from Ironton, Ohio; broadcast Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007.

Audio Promos

“The Slicing, Dicing Cutting Edge,” an in-house promotional announcement broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Promotion Announcement rotation from Monday, July 30, 2007 through the present time, written and produced by Adam Cavalier.

Audio Sports Package

“Brandon Powell Feature,” written and produced by Ryan Epling, broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007.

Audio Sports Segment

“Yulia Kashelkina,” written and produced by Ryan Epling, broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007.

Audio Sports Segment

“Liz Fleming, the Yeager Setter,” written and produced by Adam Cavalier, broadcast during the “5:00 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007.

Audio Sports Play-By-Play Programming

WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Marshall University versus Ohio University men’s basketball game played at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007. The students calling the men’s basketball game broadcast over FM 88.1 were basketball play-by-play announcer Ryan Epling, color commentator Robert Iddings and producer Deven Swartz.

For more information, call Bailey at (304) 696-2294.

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