Broadcasting System. Rachel Kookogey | Collegian
A record-breaking number of Radio Free Hillsdale students were named finalists in the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards on January 5.
“We had nine total finalists this year in eight different categories, which is the highest number of finalists that we’ve had since we began submitting,” said Scot Bertram, general manager of Radio Free Hillsdale and lecturer in journalism.
The awards are open to college stations across the country. This year, there were 3,000 submissions. Around 25 Hillsdale students entered their programs for consideration.
To qualify as a finalist, an entry is judged in the top 5% of all submissions in that category. The first place winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony on March 6. The IBS awards usually take place in New York City, where nominated students would receive an all-expenses-paid trip, but they will instead be held online this year.
Bertram said the IBS awards provide the students with feedback and recognition.
“We do have a lot of students who put in a lot of hours on their shows,” he said. “It’s really a valuable way for them to get to know that the work they’re putting into their show or feature is heading in the right direction.”
Ryan Young, production director for WRFH, is a finalist for Best Station Promo for his election night promo.
“It’s a testament to Mr. Bertram’s teaching and the school’s dedication to their students,” Young said.
Jane O’Connor, host of “State Facts,” entered a feature about Minnesota.
Two students, Reagan Gensiejewski and Christine Talent, are in the running for Best Newcast.
Gensiejewski and Martin Petersen are finalists for their women’s basketball play-by-play, while “Marty and Stef in the Morning,” hosted by Petersen and Stefan Kleinhenz, is also up for an award.
“The Loft,” hosted by Rachel Kookogey, Nick Treglia, and Caleb Ramette, received an award in a particularly competitive category, Best Comedy Program.
“They took the best parts of several episodes, sort of creating this montage of audio,” Bertram said. “They worked pretty hard to make sure that they got a good representative sample of the show, so it was nice to see that reward.”
The show is a mixture of scripted skits, ad lib, and games, such as two truths and a lie, Florida Man edition, where the hosts examine three “Florida Man” stories and take turns guessing which are true, and which one is false. Kookogey attributed the show’s success to the similar sense of humor among her co-hosts.
“I think that as hosts we have good chemistry because we started out just as friends that decided to start a radio show,” Kookogey said.
Other shows up for awards are “The Rest Is History,” hosted by Allison Schuster and Callie Shinkle, and “Conserving the Classics” by Jane O’Connor and Gabe Listro.
Radio Free Hillsdale has only been on air for five years. Bertram said he is pleased to see the students’ efforts rewarded.
“We’re still growing and students are growing at the same time. I think it’s really an honor to be considered again with the best student programming in the country,” Bertram said. “It’s not surprising to me because from the beginning the students who have worked the station have been extremely diligent and really devoted to getting better.”
