| Collegian Archives
WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM won its fifth-ever national first-place award from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards last weekend.
Former student Ryan Young won “Best Production Director” in the college radio category. Young was a junior at Hillsdale when he transferred to Grove City College in January to be closer to family and pursue opportunities in the communications field, he said.
“Ryan’s outstanding work for WRFH deserved to be rewarded and I’m pleased the judges saw fit to acknowledge him with this honor,” said Scot Bertram, general manager at WRFH. “The work of a production director sometimes can fly under the radar, but it makes up the nuts and bolts of what makes any station sound the very best that it can.”
Young said it’s an “immense honor” to receive the award and credits Bertram for helping him on his journey.
“I’m extremely grateful to receive this award, and for Mr. Bertram, who inspired me to continue to grow and learn in this skill of production,” Young said.
Bertram gave Young creative freedom to learn the craft while sharing his knowledge of the industry, he said.
“He held me to a standard while not micromanaging me,” Young said. “I ended up finding a deep love for creating these types of projects.”
He also credits his father, Randy, who works in the radio industry for helping him grow.
“Part of my initial desire to even get involved with radio was from my father’s guidance,” Young said. “He gave me the tricks of the trade.”
Bertram said Young helped the station with his attitude and work ethic.
“WRFH benefited greatly from the passion and commitment that Ryan showed in working on his audio productions,” Bertram said
Senior Rachel Kookogey, program director of WRFH, said she will miss having Young on her team.
“Ryan did so much valuable, quality work for the station,” Kookogey said, who was a finalist in the “Best Comedy Program” category.
Several other students were finalists at the awards for categories like “Best Women’s Basketball Play-By-Play” and “Best Talk Program.” WRFH was also a finalist in the “Best College/University Radio Station (under 10,000 students)” category.
“I’m extremely proud of our other finalists this year,” Bertram said. “These IBS categories are incredibly competitive,
