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Links are press releases written by WMUL-FM and posted by the Marshall University Communications department, unless otherwise noted. Headlines and summaries on this page come directly from the Online Director.

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2004 Capital Classic coverage earns Crystal Award of Excellence
WMUL takes seven grand prize awards from NBS regional ceremony
WMUL wins Best of Show award for fifth time
DJ compilation among three national finalists in 2004 CBI contest
Signing off: Vince Payne leaves WMUL booth after seven seasons
Herd to prepare to Bash the Bulls by bashing car
Tipton vs. Murphy: Marshall's on-air political arena
SGA approves broadcast of WMUL in campus dining halls
Student radio station not played on Harless Dining Hall loudspeakers
WMUL dominates NBS awards
WMUL unveils updated studio
WMUL to unveil new Newscenter in ceremony
Couple wins marathon with more than one hour of PDA

2004 Capital Classic coverage earns Crystal Award of Excellence

Dec. 20 - Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received four awards in the Communicator Awards 2004 Audio Competition. The winners were named last month in Arlington, Texas.

Students were honored with one Crystal Award of Excellence, one Award of Distinction and two honorable mention awards. This is the seventh year for this competition to include an audio component for judging.

The Communicator Awards come from a national awards organization that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field. Entries are judged by industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were 923 entries in The Communicator Awards 2004 Audio Competition.

The prestigious Crystal Award of Excellence is presented to those entrants whose ability to communicate makes them the best in their field. About 13 percent of the entries won this award. The Crystal Award of Excellence winners are listed on The Communicator’s web site www.communicator-awards.com.

The Award of Distinction is given for projects that exceed industry standards in production or communication skills. About 10 percent of the entries won this award. An Honorable Mention certificate was granted to those entries that meet the high standards of the industry.

Winners of The Communicator Awards come from radio stations, production facilities, advertising and public relations agencies, corporate communications departments, government entities, technicians, narrators, writers, and other professionals associated with the production of audio broadcasts and materials.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment to be recognized as having produced some of the best sports programming, promo productions and documentaries in the country,” said Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall, and faculty manager of WMUL-FM. “I am proud of the honor this Award of Excellence, Award of Distinction and the honorable mentions awards bestow on WMUL-FM, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Marshall University. This success demonstrates to our student staff that dedication and hard work do pay off in the end.”

The Crystal Award of Excellence winning entry was in the Student Produced Radio Sports Event category:

* WMUL-FM’s live broadcast of the 2004 Capital Classic: Marshall University versus West Virginia University men’s basketball game played at Charleston Civic Center Coliseum in Charleston, W. Va., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004. The students calling the game which was broadcast over 88.1 in Huntington were basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford; W.Va.; color commentator Travis Smith, a recent graduate from Charles Town, W.Va.; statistician Heather Berry, a sophomore from St. Albans, W.Va.; statistician Angela Bradley, a senior from Scott Depot, W.Va.; and engineer Michael Stanley, a junior from West Hamlin, W.Va..

The Award of Distinction winning entry was in the Student Produced Radio Documentary category:

* “The Fight for Right: Same Gender Marriage” was written and produced by Christina Riffle, a recent graduate from Dunbar, W.Va. The documentary was created for JMC 273 Practice in Radio, Tuesday, May 4, 2004.

The honorable mention award winning entries by WMUL-FM were in the Student Produced Radio Sports Event Promo and Sports Event categories:

* “Battle for the Bell,” an in-house promotional announcement broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Promotional Announcement rotation from Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 through Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, written and produced by Alex Reed, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va.

* WMUL-FM’s broadcast of Marshall versus No. 9 Ohio State University football game played at the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004. The students calling the game, which was broadcast over 88.1 in Huntington, were football play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Alex Reed, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va.; and engineer Brandon Millman, a sophomore from Huntington.

WMUL takes seven grand prize awards from NBS regional ceremony

Dec. 15 - Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received seven grand prize awards during the National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho Region 2 Student Electronic Media Production Competition awards ceremony last month in Knoxville, Tenn.

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall, and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the students competed with other broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the NBS/AERho Region 2.

The states of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan and the District of Columbia comprise the NBS/AERho Region 2.

“It is quite an accomplishment to win seven grand prizes in the NBS/AERho Region 2’s 2004 awards audio competition,” Bailey said. “This is another outstanding performance by our students. Winning always speaks well for the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and Marshall University, as the student broadcasters of WMUL-FM earn top honors in direct competition with nationally recognized colleges and universities.”

The National Broadcasting Society has more than 1,500 student and professional members with chapters on more than 100 college campuses. Founded in 1943, NBS has a mission 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, the national honorary society, is composed of members selected from NBS.

WMUL’s grand prize award winning entries were:

NEWS/SPORTS/FEATURE SEGMENT – “Stranger with a Camera,” written, produced and edited by Melanie Chapman, a senior from Stollings, W.Va., broadcast during “The 5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003.

NEWS/FEATURE PACKAGE – “Laura Bush Visits the Mountain State,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, broadcast during “The 5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 8” Friday, Nov. 7, 2003.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/INTERVIEW PROGRAM – “The Tipton-Murphy Report,” with hosts of the program Richard Tipton, a senior from Ona, W.Va., and Seth Murphy, a junior from Flemington, W.Va. The program’s engineer was Mike Stanley, a sophomore from West Hamlin, W.Va. This political talk program was broadcast Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004.

NEWS/SPORTS PROGRAM – “The 5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” anchored by Ben Hunt, a senior from Pikeville, Ky.; Jen Smith, a sophomore from Huntington; and Brandon Millman, a sophomore from Huntington; broadcast Friday, Oct. 1, 2004. Reporters featured within the newscast were Scott Hall, a senior from Stephens City, Va.; Barry Hatfield, a sophomore from Belfry, Ky.; and Terry Bartley, a freshman from Foster, W.Va.

COMMERCIALS/PROMOS/PSAS – “Battle for the Bell,” an in-house promotional announcement, broadcast in WMUL-FM’s Promotional Announcement rotation from Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 through Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, written and produced by Alex Reed, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va.

DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM – “The Fight for Right: Same-Gender Marriage,” was written and produced by Christina Riffle, a recent graduate from Dunbar, W.Va. The documentary was created for JMC 273 Practice in Radio Tuesday, May 4, 2004.

SPORTS PLAY-BY-PLAY – WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Marshall University versus 9th-ranked Ohio State University football game played in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004. The students calling the game, which was broadcast over 88.1 in Huntington, were: football play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Alex Reed, a senior from Virginia Beach, Va.; and engineer Brandon Millman, a sophomore from Huntington.

WMUL wins Best of Show award for fifth time

Nov. 20 - Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received the Broadcast Best of Show award for the fifth time at the 83rd annual national College Media Convention/2004 Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) College Annual Competition ceremony.

The ceremony took place Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, at the Marriott Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

WMUL-FM’s Broadcast Best of Show award-winning entry was “The 5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” a 30-minute newscast Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004. It was edited by Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va. The students who participated in the newscast were:

Krystle Nichols, sophomore, East Bank, W.Va., (producer); Alex Reed, senior, Virginia Beach, Va., (news anchor); Melanie Chapman, senior, Stollings, W.Va., (news anchor); Jay Playburn, junior, Huntington, W.Va., (weather anchor); Matt Bradberry, senior, Huntington, W.Va.; (sports anchor).

Vince Payne, graduate student, Hansford, W.Va., (reporter); Deven Swartz, freshman, Philippi, W.Va., (reporter); Jeremy Edwards, freshman, Scott Deport, W.Va., (reporter); Kristin Houghton, senior, Inwood, W.Va., (reporter), Troy Dunn, St. Albans, W.Va., (reporter), and Dave Wilson, St. Mary’s, W.Va., (reporter).

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the campus radio station competed with other broadcasting stations from colleges and universities throughout the country whose staffs attended the 83rd Annual National College Media Convention.

The Best of Show competition is open only to publications and media outlets that send student delegates to the national convention. The competition is divided into eight newspaper categories, two yearbook categories, two magazine categories, and one broadcast category. The broadcast category was for radio only and was offered for only the fifth time in 2004 to recognize excellence among broadcasting attendees. The entries were evaluated for general excellence, but emphasis was placed on reporting and leadership as expressed through content.

“This is an honor for WMUL-FM and all the student broadcasters featured on the Best of Show entry,” Bailey said. “Winning speaks well for Marshall University, as the student broadcasters of WMUL-FM consistently earn top honors in direct competition with nationally recognized colleges and universities.”

DJ compilation among three national finalists in 2004 CBI contest

Nov. 12 - Students from Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, received three finalists awards in the 83rd Annual National College Media Convention/2004 Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. (CBI) National Student Radio Production Awards ceremony.

The event took place Friday, Nov. 5, 2004, at the Marriott Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, professor of electronic media management in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said the students competed with broadcasting students from colleges and universities throughout the United States.

He said the contest, which is in its third year, is sponsored by the CBI, which administers the contest in cooperation with College Media Advisers Inc. (CMA), the nation’s oldest and largest college media organization.

“It is an honor to be a finalist in three out of the 12 radio categories sponsored by these prestigious organizations,” Bailey said. “Our radio students have established a tradition at WMUL-FM of being able to successfully compete at the national, regional, or state level with other student-operated college radio stations.

“This performance is further evidence of the quality of the work performed by our talented broadcasting students. I am proud of our broadcasting students who continue to provide quality broadcast performances to Tri-State listeners and to be excellent representatives for Marshall University in competitions against nationally known colleges and universities.”

The finalist award winning entries were:

*Best Radio DJ Aircheck: “On the Air with Clay Daniels” was an on-air airshift broadcast over WMUL-FM Wednesday, May 19, 2004, written and produced by Daniel Clay Stimeling, a junior from Buckhannon, W.Va.

*Radio News Reporting: “Laura Bush Visits the Mountain State,” written and produced by Melanie Chapman, a senior from Stollings, W.Va., broadcast during the “5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88” Friday, Nov. 7, 2003.

*Sports play-by-play: WMUL-FM’s broadcast of the Capital Classic: Marshall University versus West Virginia University men’s basketball game at the Charleston Civic Center Coliseum in Charleston, W.Va., Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004.

The students calling the game, which was broadcast over 88.1 back in Huntington, W. Va., were: basketball play-by-play announcer Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, W.Va.; color commentator Travis Smith, a recent graduate from Charles Town, W.Va.; statistician Heather Berry, a sophomore from St. Albans, W.Va.; statistician Angela Bradley, a senior from Scott Depot; W.Va., and engineer Michael Stanley, a junior from West Hamlin, W.Va.

Signing off: Vince Payne leaves WMUL booth after seven seasons

by Ben Hunt of The Parthenon

Nov. 11 - "What's your name? I know your voice... I listen to you all the time." WMUL 88.1 FM station manager Vince Payne has heard the line time and time again.

This will be Payne's final season behind the mike as WMUL's voice of the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Payne has been an integral part of WMUL for over seven years. He first came to the station in 1997.

"When I started here I just wanted to be a DJ," Payne said. "I was here on staff and worked a weekend shift on Saturdays and they would have football broadcasts. I would see them set up and one night I just sat in and watched them do the entire game."

After watching the production side of a football broadcast, Payne was intrigued by the craft and became more involved with the FM 88 Sports staff. His work ethic at the station gave him the opportunity to be an on-air announcer.

"The very first game I called was a basketball game," Payne said. "If there is one thing I know, it's basketball. I've been around it my whole life. When we came on the air and I heard that intro and those mikes were going to be hot in 30 seconds, I froze up like a block of ice."

His first broadcast was interrupted by nearly 100-degree temperature at the transmitter site. This caused the station to shut down the broadcast.

"To be quite honest with you, that was the best news I heard all day," Payne said. "I couldn't talk."

Dr. Charles G. Bailey, WMUL Faculty Manager, has watched Payne's progression from the beginning.

"He has come a long way," Bailey said. "It's amazing, but he has dedicated himself to doing it."

Payne's work ethic has contributed in the ability to convert from calling basketball to football. His dedication to sportscasting has enabled him to call 52 Marshall football games, either as play-by-play or as color analyst.

"He didn't know football," Bailey said. "Vince had to come from as far back as you could probably come."

Watching football and being a fan of the game was not enough to overcome inadequacies of being able to describe the action to an audience over the public airwaves.

"I read the rule book so many times and tried to learn," Payne said. "I knew the positions and everything. I didn't know the little intricate details and that comes with preparation."

Preparation is an unseen labor of sportscasting, which takes a tremendous amount of time. The preparation that goes into the broadcast equates to one's own credibility Payne said.

"If you don't prepare and you go on the air, people will know," Payne said. "They will hear right through it."

To prepare properly could take as much time as a full-time job, Payne said.

"The preparation is why they pay you," Payne said. "They don't pay you to broadcast a game. You will broadcast a game for free."

Bailey said Payne has improved at every area of broadcasting.

"He has become complete," Bailey said. "There are probably only one or two areas that he has to work on and that is what the professionals, people who have done if for years, have to work on."

Payne's dedication to sportscasting is because of his love of the games and experience necessary to gain a future career in the profession. His 52 game career, which dates back to the 1998 football season, has been filled with 44 Thundering Herd wins and eight losses. To add to those statistics, the Herd has never lost a Mid-American Conference Championship or bowl game Payne has announced.

Randy Burnside, Marshall assistant director of athletics and media relations said Payne has had a remarkable stretch following the Herd.

"He came with the building [Joan C. Edwards Stadium]," Burnside said jokingly.

Bryan Allen, video services graduate assistant for Marshall, said Payne has been a great service to public.

"Vince has done a great thing for the athletic department and the radio station [WMUL]," Allen said.

There have been many historic victories Payne remembers during his stay behind the mike.

"I remember when Chad Pennington hit Eric Pinkerton in the end zone," Payne said. "When I was in the booth for that play I kept telling the guys, 'they are not out of it. Somehow they always find a way to win.'"

The final play-by-play broadcast for Payne was the Marshall game against Central Florida. Once again the Herd was victorious and the closing of the broadcast was an emotional moment in the booth.

Bailey said he felt the emotions before the game and the effect wears more on the student.

"I think at the end when he was wrapping it up it became very clear that this was the last football game he will ever broadcast as a Marshall University student," Bailey said.

Payne said the journey from the first game to the last has been a fulfilling ride because he knows he has earned it.

Herd to prepare to Bash the Bulls by bashing car

Oct. 14 - Marshall University’s campus radio station, WMUL-FM 88.1, will conduct its second annual Homecoming Car Bash Friday at Buskirk Field on MU’s Huntington campus.

The bashing of a 1984 Buick Century takes place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. For one dollar, “bashers” will have 60 seconds to bash the car with a sledgehammer. This year’s theme is “Bash the Bulls.” Marshall plays Buffalo at 4:30 p.m. Saturday in its homecoming game at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

Thundering Herd mascot Marco will be the first to bash the car, which was donated by Steve Taylor of Taylor’s Iron and Metal in Huntington. Graingers Industrial Supply of Huntington is donating the sledgehammers, and U-Haul of Huntington is donating the car trailer that will be used to tow the bashed Buick during Saturday’s homecoming parade, which starts at noon at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena.

Buskirk Field is located in the middle of campus between the Science Hall and the Memorial Student Center. More information is available by calling Troy Dunn at (304) 542-4874.

Tipton vs. Murphy: Marshall's on-air political arena

by Erica R. Deligne of The Parthenon

Oct. 14 - The "Tipton/ Murphy Report" on Marshall University's WMUL 88.1 expands the horizons of political thinkers and provides information to others by reporting details of current events and debating modern politics.

Richie Tipton, originally from Asheville N.C. and a senior majoring in journalism, debates against Seth Murphy, a Grafton, W.Va. senior majoring in political science. Tipton, a liberal, and Murphy, a conservative, are the two prime debaters on the show, said Tipton.

Murphy describes his position on the show and his thoughts on Tipton's arguments.

"I'm there to offer the conservative viewpoint; I would like to say the common sense viewpoint," Murphy said. "Richie is a fantastic person to work with and he is always bringing in a new point of view that I have never thought of before."

"He never just gives in," Murphy said. "If you have something that opposes his viewpoint, he never throws up his hands and says 'okay, well you got me;' he is a good stand your ground guy as well."

Andrew Watson, a graduate student in journalism, is the bridge between the debaters. He is a republican, but sways to the left in this election and either agrees or disagrees with the two debaters.

"I am a moderate, politically, and sometimes I agree with Seth, sometimes I agree with Richie and I can argue both sides," Watson said. "Seth and I are both republicans but come from different factions of the Republican Party, because I tend to be a libertarian."

Tipton approached WMUL along with Kris Parker, former Student Government Association president, because they shared the same liberal views and thought people needed to be aware of a lot of political issues that they were unaware of, said Tipton.

"I would see that people would follow George W. Bush no matter what he said or did because he seemed to be an affable person, seemed to be like an uncle we've all had, a good ol' boy, and people weren't looking at the issues," Tipton said.

Tipton and Murphy are the most vocalized people on the show but Michael Stanley, the producer of the show, is the foundation of it all, said Tipton.

"When you hear our voices on the show it's not just our voices that drive the show, but its Michael Stanley that keeps it running, without Michael there would be no show," Tipton said.

The shows theme song is called "On a Highway to Hell," by AC/DC. Tipton thought it was the only song appropriate to represent his reasons for doing the show and his views on the Bush Administration.

"One of the reasons why I wanted to do the radio show was because a lot of the things I was reading showed that Bush and his administration were leading us, in what I thought, was a highway to hell in the Middle East," Tipton said.

Although Murphy disagrees with Tipton, he and Tipton both agree that the show provides more information than regular TV news such as CNN.

Murphy hopes people will listen to the facts.

"I want to get people thinking, instead of just accepting what they hear off TV or wherever they get their news," Murphy said. "When you have Richie giving his viewpoint, me giving mine, Andrew and anyone else we have, it gets people thinking about the issues, instead of blindly accepting what they hear."

"Our show does provide more information, for example, on last week's show we were talking about how the troops had Osama Bin Ladin cornered in Torra Bora and how we let him get away, not a lot of people know that." said Tipton.

"We also try to provide distinctions between the War on Terror and the War on Iraq," Tipton said. "The War on Iraq is an elective war and the War on Terror is us defending ourselves."

Murphy said the two always get heated and angry toward one another when the issues of Iraq and the War on Terror are being discussed.

Other issues talked about on the show are the Abu-Graib prison scandal and the shrinking middle class, which is happening due to the tax cuts the top one percent of wealthiest Americans are receiving, said Tipton.

Sources for their information include Washington Post, L.A. Times, New York Times, USA Today, Fox News Web page and Rush Limbaugh, the latter three sources being a part of Murphy's sources, Tipton and Murphy said.

Tipton said anyone is welcome to share their opinions on the show. He said the show has had more republican guests than democrats, but hopes to see more democrats.

"I don't think a lot of democrats want to be on the show just because when faced up against a good republican they can't stand their ground," Murphy said. "They don't back up their claims with facts; they're always appealing to emotion and spouting off sound bites without any basis, so of course they don't want any real challenge."

The Tipton/Murphy Report airs every Thursday at 7 p.m. on WMUL 88.1. Anyone who is interested in being a guest on the show can e-mail Tipton/Murphy@aol.com.

SGA approves broadcast of WMUL in campus dining halls

by Justin Dearing of The Parthenon

The Student Government Association (SGA) approved a resolution Tuesday that encourages the campus dining halls to broadcast WMUL instead of commercial radio stations.

The resolution states that it is a long-standing policy of the SGA to help campus groups grow and bring honor to the university.

"What we want to do as a senate is to throw our support behind WMUL for the things they are doing and urge the dining halls to go ahead and take action to do the same," said Senate President Pro-Tempore Brad Williams.

The resolution also states that many students currently devote their time to making WMUL a successful radio station and the campus dining halls, by playing outside radio stations, have been less than supportive of these students.

The SGA resolution claims that regular playtime in the dining halls would spread awareness of the station and encourage other students to become involved.

SGA President Jen Gaston said the Faculty Senate is awaiting the SGA response so that at the next Faculty Senate meeting it can be brought up and hopefully a resolution can be passed giving the faculty standpoint that they would like to hear it played in there as well. She said both resolutions would then be taken to the dining halls together.

In addition, the SGA agreed on a special election for an amendment to the SGA constitution.

The Judicial Clarification Amendment would allow SGA Supreme Court justices to serve on SGA committees.

"The only power we have is to approve student organizations and make decisions during an election if a problem should arise," said SGA Supreme Court Justice Jennings Starcher.

Starcher said because of the wording right now, justices cannot serve on committees and we want to take more of an active role in trying to serve on committees and do other things to help student government out.

The student body will vote on the amendment at an undetermined date.

Seth Murphy was elected as the student representative to the Board of Governors on Sept. 10, 2004 with 49 of the 104 votes cast by the student body, said Election Commissioner Paul Gessler.

Student radio station not played on Harless Dining Hall loudspeakers

by Michael Hupp of The Parthenon

Harless Dining Hall offers a large variety of meal options to choose from, but not radio stations.

The staff of WMUL, the Marshall University radio station, is wondering why they are not on the radio in Harless Dining Hall. Some students, including members of the Student Government Association are concerned.

"WMUL is the voice of Marshall's students," said Lorin Wilcher, SGA Senator for the Nursing Department.

Wilcher said the issue was brought up at the last meeting when comments concerning the Harless Dining Hall and the Memorial Student Center Cafeteria were discussed.

Wilcher said that the dining services should be more supportive of WMUL because it is part of the university. WMUL disc jockeys agree.

"This is an ongoing struggle," said Brandon Millman, junior broadcast major from Huntington.

Millman said WMUL has tried for months to resolve the issue. Millman said they should play WMUL in the dining halls on campus because WMUL is the university radio station.

"They should play us (WMUL) and be supportive of the students," said Troy Dunn, senior broadcast major from St. Albans, WV.

Faculty Manager for WMUL Dr. Charles Bailey said he understands why WMUL may not be played in the dining hall.

"It is kind of like a popularity contest," Bailey said. "We play a variety of music and probably are not a popular choice for students."

Bailey said he would like for WMUL to be played in the dining halls but understands that if it is not what students want to hear then the university cannot force the dining halls to play WMUL.

Bailey said that if students like one form of music then WMUL may not be for them because of the various music forms WMUL plays.

He also said a radio station that is local is commercialized and usually caters to one form of music, which makes it more popular with students.

The unit manager for Harless Dining Hall is out sick this week and unavailable for comment.

A source for the catering service has said that they had only been able to pick up one radio station at a time in the dining hall and a new antenna has been installed.

Three sports reports, two documentaries win awards at SPJ regional competition

April 29 - Students from WMUL-FM, Marshall University’s public radio station, won several awards at the 2003 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Contest for Region 4. The awards were presented at the Region 4 Convention Saturday, April 17 in Columbus, Ohio.

Region 4 consists of colleges and universities in West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and western Pennsylvania, Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting in the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and faculty manager of WMUL-FM, said.

Marshall students won two first-place awards, two second-place awards and one third-place award.

“Our radio students have established a tradition at WMUL-FM of being able to successfully compete at the national, regional or state level with other student-operated college radio stations,” Bailey said. “WMUL-FM student broadcasters won all five of the radio awards presented in the two categories. This solid performance in SPJ’s Mark of Excellence Contest is further evidence of the quality of the work performed by our talented broadcasting students.”

Kent State University was the 2003 sweepstakes winner for the Mark of Excellence Contest for Region 4 by having the most points for awards in newspaper, magazine, radio and television categories. Marshall won the runner-up position for the sweepstakes award. The University of Cincinnati finished in third place in the standings.

Marshall’s first-place award-winning entries in radio were the following:

* Radio Documentary: “Music: A Tool for Professional Therapists,” written and produced by Lenaia Mancini, a senior from Cincinnati, broadcast during “Aircheck,” Monday, Nov. 24, 2003.

* Radio Sports Reporting: “One More First: The 2003-2004 Marshall Women’s Basketball Preseason Special,” written and produced by Robert Harper, a graduate student from Hurricane; Jennifer Baileys, a sophomore from Mineral Wells; Travis Smith, a senior from Martinsburg, and Efren Creamer, a senior from Charles Town, broadcast before the season opening exhibition game against West Virginia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003.

The second-place award-winning entries in radio were as follows:

* Radio Documentary: “Old Main: A Living Tradition,” written and produced by Trent Garnes, a recent graduate from Hurricane, broadcast during “Aircheck,” Monday, Oct. 20, 2003.

* Radio Sports Reporting: “The MAC Report,” written and produced by Alex Reed, a junior from Virginia Beach, Va., broadcast Friday, Sept. 12, 2003.

The third-place award-winning entry in radio was in the category Radio Sports Reporting: “Marshall Volleyball Weekend Swing,” written and produced by Vince Payne, a graduate student from Hansford, broadcast during the sports segment of the “5 p.m. Edition of Newscenter 88,” Friday, Oct. 3, 2003.

WMUL dominates NBS awards

Mar. 29 - Marshall University’s public radio station, WMUL-FM, achieved a new level of national prominence during the recent National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho awards in Miami Beach, Fla., with Marshall student broadcasters earning 27 of the 45 awards in this year’s competition.

Student broadcasters from WMUL received 12 grand prize honors and 15 honorable mention awards during The National Broadcasting Society/Alpha Epsilon Rho (NBS/AERho) 13th annual National Student Audio/Video Scriptwriting and 39th annual Audio/Video Production Awards, held March 13, 2004, at Miami’s Sheraton Colony Square Hotel.

“It is a tremendous accomplishment to win a dozen grand prizes out of the 19 total recognized in the audio scriptwriting, audio production, and overall Web site categories in the National Broadcasting Society’s competition in a single year,” said Dr. Chuck G. Bailey, associate professor of broadcasting in Marshall’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

“This is a dominating performance by our radio students. Winning speaks well for Marshall University, as the student broadcasters of WMUL-FM consistently earn top honors in direct competition with nationally recognized colleges and universities.”

National Broadcasting Society-Alpha Epsilon Rho (NBS/AERho) has a membership of more than 1,500 students and professionals with chapters on 86 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. Alpha Epsilon Rho is the national honorary society composed of members selected from NBS chapters.

During the past decade, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communication and WMUL-FM have established a national reputation for excellence with an outstanding record of achievement in national competition. Since 1994, WMUL-FM student broadcasters have earned 119 National Broadcasting Society-Alpha Epsilon Rho awards, including 64 grand prizes and 55 honorable mention awards.

The grand prize award winning entries in scriptwriting were as follows:

Audio Documentary Program Script
“Old Main: A Living Tradition,” written by recent graduate Trent Garnes of Hurricane, W.Va.

Audio Comedy Program Script
“Roosevelt Bias Christmas Spectacular,” written by juniors Victor Imperi and Michael Valentine, both of Huntington.

The grand prize award winning entries in production were as follows:

Audio News Package
“Laura Bush visits the Mountain State,” written and produced by senior Melanie P. Chapman of Stollings, W.Va.

Audio Feature Package
“Stranger with a Camera,” written and produced by Chapman

Audio News Program
“5 p.m. edition of Newscenter 88, Sept. 29, 2002,” anchored by graduate student Vince Payne of Hansford, W.Va., sophomore Emily Ingle of Barboursville, W.Va., and senior Jamie Dempsey of Lenore, W.Va, and produced by junior Kourtney Bess of Belle, W.Va.;

Audio Commercial/Promo/Public Service Announcement
“W-M-U-L Car Dealer,” written and produced by sophomore Daniel Clay Stimeling of Buckhannon, W.Va.;

Audio Drama Program
“Dr. Love,” written and produced by recent graduate Kevin Justus of Ashland, Ky.

Audio News/Sports/Feature Program
“5 p.m. edition of Newscenter 88 (Sports segment), Nov. 5, 2003,” anchored by junior Alex Reed of Virginia Beach, Va.

Audio Public Affairs/Interview Program
“Sportsview, Marshall University Women’s Basketball Team, Nov. 5, 2003,” written and produced by Vince Payne

Audio Sports Package
“Marshall Moves On, March 11, 2003,” written and produced by Payne

Audio Sports Program
“The Ring Is The Thing – The 2003 Marshall Football Season Preview,” written and produced by Payne, Bess and Stimeling

Audio Sports Play-by-Play Programming
“Marshall vs. Northern Illinois women’s basketball, March 8, 2003.” Announcers were graduate student Robert Harper of Hurricane, W.Va., and senior Travis Smith of Martinsburg, W.Va.

The honorable mention award entry in scriptwriting was in Audio Drama Program Script: “Dr. Love,” written by Kevin Justus.

The honorable mention award entries in production were as follows:

Audio News Program
“5 p.m. edition of Newscenter 88, Sept. 22, 2002,” anchored by Payne, Ingle, Dempsey, freshman Shane Irwin of Huntington, and produced by Bess

Audio Public Affairs/Interview Program
“Campus Concern: Free Speech versus Morality,” written and produced by Stimeling

Audio Documentary Program
“Old Main: A Living Tradition,” written and produced by Garnes, and “9/11: Where Are We Now?,” written and produced by Stimeling

Audio News/Sports/Feature Program
“5 p.m. edition of Newscenter 88 (Sports segment), Nov. 12, 2003,” anchored by Payne with reporters Harper and Imperi

Audio Sports Package
“Marshall Moves To Conference USA, Nov. 5, 2003,” written and produced by Reed, and “Marshall University Volleyball Recap,” written and produced by Payne and sophomore Jennifer Pierce of Louisville, Ky.

Audio Sports Program
“The MAC Report, Sept. 12, 2003,” written and produced by Reed, and “One More First: The 2003-04 Marshall Women’s Basketball Preseason Special,” written and produced by Harper, Smith, sophomore Jennifer Bailey of Mineral Wells, W.Va., and senior Efren Creamer of Charles Town, W.Va.

Audio Sports Play-by-Play Programming
“Marshall vs. Tennessee football, Sept. 6, 2003,” with announcers Payne, Smith and Reed, and “Marshall vs. Morehead State men’s basketball, Nov. 29, 2003,” with announcers Payne, Harper and statisticians Baileys, Imperi and senior Scott Hall of Stephen City, Va.

Audio Music/Variety/Special Program or Segment
“The Rat and the Duck,” written and produced by Imperi

Audio Comedy Program or Segment
“Unsolved Mysteries,” and “Everybody Loves Nigel,” both written and produced by Imperi and Valentine.

WMUL unveils updated studio

by Melissa Offutt of The Parthenon

Feb. 25 - "The Cutting Edge" couldn't be a more fitting name for Marshall's student-run public radio station with the new digital studio. The latest digital equipment will give Marshall University students the opportunity to excel on the professional level.

WMUL-FM 88.1 recognized the opening of the NewsCenter digital production studio Monday night with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a studio tour and the first newscast in the NewsCenter.

The station was renamed "The Cutting Edge" at the start of the new year, it was known as "Progressive FM" since 1985.

Vince Payne, station manager, said the station needed an updated image to match the new digital studio.

This upgraded studio provides students with both a professional and educational setting, Kristin Houghton, news director, said.

"We now have the same technologies as professional radio stations," Houghton said, "and I'm proud to be part of the station as we develop our new technology."

Payne said that 98 percent of colleges in America are not equipped with a facility like this. With this addition, the sky is the limit with regard to production. It's only a matter of what the students can creatively think of, he said.

"We're not following anyone, we're leading in digital technology," Payne said.

When Clay Stimeling, a radio-TV major and operations manager for WMUL was looking at colleges in the fall of 2001, he visited Marshall University. The news center was just beginning to be built, Stimeling said. That was when he made his decision.

"If there's a college in West Virginia with those capabilities, I've got to be there," Stimeling said.

Dr. Keith Spears, vice president of institutional advancement, said when President Angel talks of National Prominence, the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism is already nationally prominent.

WMUL has a staff of 112, all of which are volunteers. To help them stay calm and focused the new digital studio is blue, a color known to help people relax.

"When people hear 'college radio' they think Marshall University," Dr. Harold Shaver, dean of journalism and mass communication, said.

WMUL-FM 88.1 newscast is daily at 5 p.m.

WMUL to unveil new Newscenter in ceremony

Feb 16 - Marshall University’s student-run public radio station, WMUL 88.1 FM, is changing its image and unveiling a new digital studio.

As of Jan. 1, 2004, WMUL’s on-air image and slogan became “The Cutting Edge.” Now, the station is having a ceremony to recognize the opening of the NewsCenter digital production studio that has been in development for five years.

A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at the WMUL-FM studio complex, located in Communications Building Room 201. Light refreshments and tours of the studio will be provided, followed by a regularly scheduled edition of NewsCenter 88.

The NewsCenter 88 digital studio will be used to produce a live daily newscast at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as specialty programs such as documentaries, public affairs programs, feature programs, radio dramas and comedy shows.

The digital studio includes a Wheatstone D-600 digital console, which was provided by the university. The new console was purchased after a long search for the best console that would meet the radio station’s current and future needs.

Dr. Charles Bailey, associate professor of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications and faculty manager of the radio station, said the new studio will provide even greater opportunities to Marshall students.

“If you’re attempting to learn a media profession, you must have the technical facilities available with which to work and gain experience,” Bailey said. “I think aspiring journalists could not ask for any more than what will be available to them in the new WMUL-FM NewsCenter.”

More information is available by calling Bailey at (304) 696-2294.

Couple wins marathon with more than one hour of PDA

by Emily Ingle of The Parthenon

Feb. 13 - There are some couples that don't believe in public displays of affection, but 88.1 WMUL found a few that were happy to kiss in front of the student body.

Marshall's student-run radio station hosted its second annual Make Out Marathon Thursday in the Memorial Student Center.

"I'm trying to study, but there's no way," Joel Lewis, a management information systems sophomore watching the marathon, said. "It's just too distracting."

The kissing was scheduled to begin at noon but was delayed until 12:45 p.m. because of lack of participation, said Brandon Woolum, a member of WMUL's promotions staff.

"It was pretty disappointing," he said. "At noon we looked up and had one couple. We didn't know what to do."

Two more couples, including WMUL staff members, eventually signed up.

Students were disappointed it didn't start on time, and many left by 12:15, Woolum said.

First-place finishers won a prize package valued at $125. Second- and third-place couples won packages worth $60 and $40, respectively. Prizes included gift certificates from Applebee's, Aladdin's Beauty Salon and the Tri-State Ice Arena, Woolum said.

The promotions staff wanted to conduct the marathon again because last year's event was so successful. They began planning more than two weeks ago by calling different organizations throughout the Tri-State area for donations, he said.

Many companies are happy to cooperate with Marshall University and its students, he said.

This year's Make Out Marathon lasted one hour and 25 minutes. Couples kissed in last year's marathon for five hours and 37 minutes. A.J. Elmore and Daniel Harston were declared the 2004 winners.

Some students said that it puts a new twist on affection.

"It's something I've never seen before," Lewis said. "But if you're getting a prize, why not compete?"


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