October 24, 2005

Radio-TV students dominate awards competition

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, ILL -- Students from Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Department of Radio & Television dominated an awards program honoring top student broadcasters throughout the state.

SIUC students took home 10 awards, including four first place awards, at the Illinois Broadcasters Association Silver Dome Awards banquet. SIUC alumnus and ABC Nightline's Chris Bury was the keynote speaker at the event, which was held Sept. 30 in Bloomington.

The students' work appeared on SIUC's public television and radio stations, WSIU-TV, WUSI-TV, WSIU-FM, WUSI-FM and WVSI-FM. River Region Evening Edition, a student-produced television newscast that airs at 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, also received an Honorable Mention nod for Television Newscast.

"We're very proud of our students' efforts," said Joey Helleny, a lecturer in the Department of Radio & Television. "It's always nice to be told you're doing a good job when judged against your peers. We're not surprised. We know we have good students and they have good opportunities to showcase their work."

Students receiving individual honors include:

• Clint Misselhorn, Campbell Hill, junior in Radio-Television; and Brandon Thompson, graduate student, Chicago; First Place, Radio Long Form, "Sunrise Sports." Misselhorn also received Honorable Mention, Radio News Story, "Dean Dairy Farm."

• Keith Crook, Carbondale, 2005 graduate from Radio-Television; First Place, Television Long Form, "Philippine Insurrection".

• John Solita, Manteno, senior in Radio-Television; Honorable Mention, Television Long Form, "The Hook".

• Thad Jackson, Galesburg, graduate student, Mass Communication and Media Arts; and Greg Armstrong, Ottawa, 2005 graduate from Radio-Television; Honorable Mention, Radio Live Game Sports for "Saluki Softball" .

• Cory Byers, Effingham, graduate student, MCMA; Honorable Mention, Television Spot, "Father Forgive Me".

• Ben Johnson, Zion, Radio-Television; Honorable Mention, Television Spot, "Be More Inspired".

• Christina Kullberg, Rockford, senior, Radio-Television; First Place, Radio News Story, "Wright Way Rescue".

• Lindsey Moron, Milan, graduate student, MCMA; First Place, Television News Pack, "Home Schooling".

Shaping high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.