Ten mass communications students and alumni were announced as finalists in the 2019-2020 National Undergraduate Student Electronic Media Competition.
The annual competition was established in 1962 by the National Broadcasting Society and Alpha Epsilon Rho. Both organizations are honor societies for electronic media students, focusing on broadcast, corporate and digital media production, and preparing students for careers in electronic media industries.
The competition recognizes students with achievements in audio, video, script writing, web development and academic research.
Undergraduate student-produced media projects completed between Dec. 9, 2018 and Dec. 10, 2019 were eligible for submission.
The 10 finalists were Zoe Travers, Katlyn Smith and Trae Bryant, mass communications seniors, Emily Wollenberg, acting senior and mass communications minor, Tom Hoblin, music theater ’19, and Jo Babb, Sophia Babb, Kate Dawson, and Mark Howell, mass communications ’19.
Winners will be announced March 14 at the National Broadcasting Society-Alpha Epsilon Rho conference in Los Angeles, California.
Andy Gibson, mass communications artist in residence, said he annually submits the department’s best work to the competition.
“When we were larger and had more faculty, there were finalists from different classes,” Gibson said. “This year they all came from my courses.”
Travers was recognized for her audio news package covering the 2019 United Methodist Church Conference and the decision not to allow LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex marriage. Travers said she is excited for the recognition.
“I was very surprised that I was nominated,” Travers said. “The others who were nominated didn’t necessarily surprise me, though. They’re all great.”
Travers said the number of finalists reflects the success of the department.
“I think the fact that both majors and minors have succeeded says so much about the quality of our classes and instructors,” Travers said.
Travers said she is happy for all the nominees.
“People have worked so hard, and it’s great that they are being recognized for it,” Travers said.
Gibson said recognition on a national level is a great honor for the department and its students.
“It’s nice to be recognized among the large amount of other universities,” Gibson said. “It’s also great for students’ resumes and reels. It never hurts to have come out of college with nationally recognized work.”
Beth Adele, director of mass communications, said she was thrilled to hear of mass communications students’ work being recognized nationally by a reputable organization.
“Our Artist-in-Residence, Andy Gibson, consistently promotes our students’ development and supports their career aspirations by opening the doors to competitions and resume-building opportunities that our students continue to walk through and shine,” she said. “We are proud of their accomplishments and excited for their futures.”
Editor’s Note: Emily Wollenberg, editor-in-chief, was nominated for an award. She was not involved in the writing or editing of this story.
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