03/30/18
HAYS, Kan. – Digital media production and journalism students from the Fort Hays State University Department of Informatics recently earned seven first-place awards, two second-place awards and two honorable mentions at the annual Kansas Association of Broadcasters spring competition.

“I am incredibly proud of this year’s accomplishments,” said Russell Heitmann, director of news and sports for Tiger Media Network. “To see student work validated with some hardware is truly gratifying. I can’t wait to see how it springboards them into the remainder of the semester and next year.”

“The dedication and hard work that these students show every day pays off,” said Ron Rohlf, assistant professor of informatics. “It is a pleasure to work with them.”

Dr. Melissa Hunsicker Walburn, chair of the Department of Informatics, also praised the students for their success.

“It’s powerful to have your quality of work validated as you build your portfolio,” she said. “Producing what the industry judges to be quality work is critical to the students in this field.”

Walburn also recognized the donations and support that make the students’ success possible.

“We are especially fortunate to support the entry fees and travel for this initiative because of donor support,” she said. “By removing cost barriers for students, donors allow students to capitalize on these valuable, differentiating experiences.”

Awards and students with hometowns are listed below:

Kansas Association of Broadcasters:
Undergraduate Radio:
1st Place – DJ Personality, “Aircheck,” Kadrae Smith, Derby senior.
1st Place – Station Promotion Announcement, “KFHS Station Bump,” Michael Turner, Hays junior.
1st Place – Promotion Event/Activity, “#GotMusic Campaign,” Smith.

Undergraduate Television:
1st Place – Entertainment Program, “The Nice Guy,” Gypsy Mueller, Greenleaf senior.
2nd Place – Entertainment Program, “Live from Studio A,” Jacob Powell, Basehor senior, and Smith.
Honorable Mention – Documentary, “Inside the Flatlander Forge,” Braden Wiesen, Wichita senior, Erica Jones, Minneapolis senior, Raven Dick, Fort Collins, Colo., senior, and Marissa Workman, Saint Francis senior.
1st Place – Promotional Video, KFHS Radio: “For Tigers by Tigers,” Smith.
1st Place – Station Promotion Announcement, “KFHS #GotMusic Campaign,” Smith.
Honorable Mention – Entertainment Program, “The Weekly Hays (Ep. 4),” Jamie Penry, Salina senior, Booker Rohlf, Hays senior, Alex Perez, Garden City senior, Sophia Thompson, Salina senior, Gabe Warrick, Larned senior, and Workman.

Graduate Television
1st Place – Entertainment Program, “Forthcoming,” Caroline Rae Strickland, Jenks, Okla., graduate student.
2nd Place – Documentary, “The Art of Making Sound,” Strickland.

National Association of Broadcasters/ Broadcast Education Association:
Undergraduate Radio:
1st Place – Specialty Program, “NewMusicNow,” Smith.

Undergraduate Radio:
1st Place – Community Outreach, “#GotMusic Campaign,” Smith.