Central Michigan University issued the following press release:
Central Michigan University broadcast and cinematic arts students have received several top honors from a national organization.
The National Broadcasting Society presented its highly prized National Student Electronic Media Competition awards in March in Washington, D.C. Six CMU student projects brought home awards in the competition, which is judged by professional broadcasters from around the country and includes such categories as production, scriptwriting and Web site development. In addition, two students won individual achievement awards.
Peter Orlik, chairman of CMU's School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, said the students' contest entries showcase their talents and are the product of many hours - even months - of labor.
'The fact that the students brought home these awards truly shows the breadth and depth of their abilities, their expertise, and their commitment to the field,' he said.
Of the 10 categories in which CMU had national finalists, students brought home the Grand Prize in six. Winners include:
* News Package (Video): Gregory Angel, Steve Roberts and Jason Nagy for 'Smokers' Bill'
* Magazine Program (Video): Ken Ochalek and J. R. Curtis for 'Central View'
* Sports Play-by-Play Programming (Video): Dan Empson, Jason Dizik, Nate Blair, Matt Park, Kirkland Crawford and Eileen LeTarte for 'MHTV Sports Game of the Week: CMU Volleyball vs. Toledo'
* Promos (Video): Ken Ochalek for 'Central View Fall 2005 Promo'
* Comedy Program (Video): David Seger, Scott Lightfoot, Randy Colburn and Nick Scimeca for 'Deskies: Episode Six'
* Web Design Overall: Maria Albert, Brian Lucas, Danny Crowle and Caleb Newman for the broadcast and cinematic arts Web site
Additionally, graduate student Patrick Brown of Mount Pleasant and senior Christina Colagiovanni of Caseville were chosen as the National Rookie of the Year and National Communications Coordinator of the Year, respectively.
Broadcast and cinematic arts faculty member Jerry Henderson, adviser for CMU's National Broadcasting Society student chapter and radio operations manager for WMHW Modern Rock 91.5, supervised much of the work that students entered in the radio categories of the competition.
'This is one of two major national competitions that our students enter,' he said. 'Not only is it a great thing for them to graduate with, but these awards help to increase and maintain the stature of the department and show that we are definitely a national force in the broadcasting profession.'
Broadcast and cinematic arts faculty members Kevin Corbett, adviser for MHTV's entertainment and sports programming, and Rick Sykes, adviser for the station's News Central 34, oversaw most of the work done in the television categories.
'The show producers spend literally hundreds of hours in their 10-week season creating their shows, so I believe these awards are a well-deserved reflection of that dedication and diligence,' Corbett said.
'I'm extremely proud of the students,' Sykes said. 'As the competition gets tougher every year, the students continue to rise to the occasion, and it's really gratifying. Our students, by and large, are the ones who are very serious about the business and maximize these opportunities, and those efforts show up in the awards.'
Created for students and professionals pursuing electronic media careers, the National Broadcasting Society is dedicated to helping college students transition to the professional world. Among other activities, the group invites students to attend its national convention, which offers networking, workshops, seminars, critiques and tours.Contact: Lindsay Allen, 989/774-7327; Peter Orlik, 989/774-7279; Jerry Henderson, 989/774-7284; Rick Sykes, 989/774-3894; Kevin Corbett, 989/774-7285.
Lindsay Allen, 989/774-7327; Peter Orlik, 989/774-7279; Jerry Henderson, 989/774-7284; Rick Sykes, 989/774-3894; Kevin Corbett, 989/774-7285.
