Radio Station General Manager Scot Bertram won best faculty adviser at the Intercollegiate Broadcast System awards Feb. 25.

Along with Bertram’s win, Elena Lanning (formerly Naborowski) ’22, won Most Creative/Innovative Show for her program “Five Minute Myths.”

Although none of the students present at the ceremony won awards, they were thrilled to watch Bertram take home first prize, junior and finalist Abigail Snyder said.

“It was such a special moment when Mr. Bertram won first place because we would not be here without him,” Snyder said.“He puts so much work into helping us improve our shows both from the production side and the writing and editing side.”

It seemed as if the students’ excitement for Bertram surpassed his own joy, said sophomore and finalist Lauren Smyth.

“When he won the award, the whole table of Hillsdale students screamed so loudly that it made him jump because we were all so excited for him,” Smyth said.

Bertram said he wished the students received the recognition and awards.

“I ended up winning for best faculty adviser, which is really just a reflection on the students, the work that they do, and the dedication and the hard work that they put in,” Bertram said. “I’m lucky to be here among talented students who are driven to succeed, improve, take some constructive criticism, and take some direction with their shows, features, and newscasts.”

This trip to New York was the radio team’s since COVID-19 closures.

“It was our first time in New York since 2020, just before everything shut down due to the pandemic and in the last two conventions, in 2021 and 2022 were remote only, Zoom only,” Bertram said. “It was nice to reconnect with some people that we hadn’t seen in person for a couple of years, and then actually return to what turned out to be a better venue for the event.”

The group of finalists competed in seven different categories, Bertram said.

 In two categories, Hillsdale College students secured two of the five finalist spots.

Smyth and Snyder rivaled each other in the Best Specialty Show Non-Music category.

Snyder, who takes listeners through Israel in her show “Virtual Voyage,” said she enjoyed being in the city for the first time and learning from some of the best in the field.

“You’re getting to hear from top executives within these industries in New York City or from across the country,” Snyder said.

Smyth said the awards show was surreal.

“It was just really cool to go on a trip to New York for an award ceremony,” Smyth said. “That’s something that I lie awake and think about doing sometimes at night, so to actually get to do it was really cool.”