5/6/24

HAYS, Kan. - The students of Tiger Media Network and the Department of Informatics are no strangers to winning awards. However, the most recent honor earned by Fort Hays State University students is believed to be the first in school history.

On Saturday, April 27, the TMN sports production team was named the Live Sporting Event/Game category winner in the Student Production Awards of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences of the Heartland Chapter. The school’s entry came from the live production of the 2023 football game between FHSU and Emporia State.

“Being awarded a Heartland Regional Emmy for our sports production team's work is a testament to our students' talent and their dedication to their craft,” said Russell Heitmann, news and sports director for TMN. “We are one of the only schools in the country that employs a staff comprised entirely of students on our productions, so for their work and talent to be recognized is a great honor for TMN, the Department of Informatics, and Fort Hays State University.”

The winning entry for TMN now automatically qualifies for the national contest.

Students who helped on the winning production included Tim Schoepflin, director; Kaden Depperschmidt, technical director; Haleigh Raber, replay; Ethan Klausmeyer, video board operation; Brandon Mejia, camera operator; Maimouna Traore, camera operator; Kyle Rowden-Stum, camera operator; Jonathan Lowe, camera operator; Caleb Todd, play-by-play commentary; and Cayden Sanders, color commentary.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our students for the professional work they provide,” said Nick Schwien, director of TMN. “FHSU students long have produced award-winning productions and content that is recognized nationally. The skills they learn in the classroom and with our productions give them a real-world working experience while they are still students. The teaching-hospital approach has been beneficial for them post-graduation as well.”

The Heartland Chapter region includes the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. The chapter was formed in 1986.

“The Student Production Awards presented through the Heartland Chapter of NATAS (the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) honors excellence among the next generation of journalists and media professionals,” said Traci Bilek, executive director of the Heartland NATAS Chapter. “We are proud to recognize these talented students and their advisors for their work to elevate our craft.”

Broadcast Education Association (BEA)

Two FHSU students were honored with national recognition in the BEA Festival of Media Arts 2024 contest.

Ryan Schuckman was recognized with an Award of Excellence honor in the Radio Feature category for his piece titled “Cold War.”

Ellinor Couchman earned second place in the Television Long Feature category for her piece on “Half a Century of Hays in the Media.”

This year’s BEA contest received more than 1,900 entries from more than 300 schools.

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Three students earned recognition in Region 7 in the Society of Professional Journalists 2023 Mark of Excellence Awards. FHSU students competed in the largest enrollment division.

John Carter Jr. won the General Column Writing category in the Print/Online section for his compilation of Pride Month reviews.

John Billinger took top honors in the Feature Videography category for his mini-documentary titled “The Underground of Ellinwood.”

Alicia Feyerherm won the Science/Environment/Climate Reporting category for her multimedia piece “Students complete research at Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation.” She was named a finalist for the same piece in the Best Use of Multimedia category.

Winners of each category move into their respective SPJ national competitions. Region 7 comprises schools from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB)

Students also took home seven first-place finishes in this year’s Kansas Association of Broadcasters Awards. FHSU competed against other universities in the state.

FHSU also brought home a second-place finish and a pair of honorable mention honors from this year’s awards ceremony in late April in Kansas City, Mo.

First place:

Raegan Neufeld, Best General News Story, audio category “Applied Learning”

Ryan Schuckman, Best Feature, audio category, “Cold War”

Ellinor Couchman, Best Feature, visual category, “Half a Century of Hays in the Media”

Garrett Wellbrock, Sports Play-by-Play, audio category

Garrett Wellbrock, Sports Play-by-Play, visual category

Tiger Media Network, Station Website, audio category

Tiger Media Network, Station Website, visual category

Second place:

Alicia Feyerherm, Best General News Story, visual category, “Students complete research at Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation”

Honorable mention:

Kerrigan Hutton, 60-second or Less Commercial/PSA Announcement, visual category, “Be Everything at Tiger Media Network”

Raegan Neufeld, Public Affairs/Talk Show Program, visual category, “Academic Affairs Update with Jill Arensdorf”