The Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System nominated twelve Hillsdale College students for radio awards.
“It’s always exciting and gratifying to have industry professionals acknowledge the outstanding content created by our students at WRFH,” said Scot Bertram, general manager for WRFH Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.
The IBS is a national radio and audio organization, meaning industry professionals judge student entries and compare them to other student entries from every state. The student broadcast awards from the MAB go to Michigan students only, and will be announced March 18 in Lansing, Michigan.
Students received nominations for special reports, musical specials, daily shows, and interviews among other categories.
Alumni Josh Barker ’23 and Abigail Snyder ’23 were nominated under the category “Current Events Story.” Barker earned two nominations for episodes of “The Policy Corner,” one about Michigan tax reform and the other about the repeal of the state’s “right to work” law.
“The goal of The Policy Corner was to provide listeners with a balanced overview of legislation in Congress and the Michigan state legislature that could impact them — what it would do and what people on both sides of the aisle are saying about it,” Barker said. “Each episode that was nominated was Michigan-focused, so I think that appealed to the MAB, and both bills covered later became state law.”
Snyder’s special report on the war in Israel earned her the MAB nomination.
Hillsdale nominees under “Daily Newscast/News Feature” were senior Therese Boudreaux for “Spotlight on PFAS” and junior Lauren Smyth for her show “Lauren Smyth News.” Smyth was also nominated for best “On-air Personality or Team.”
Junior Gavin Listro and Snyder were nominated for “Editorials.”
Junior Gwen Thompson’s “The Timbrel and the Lyre” was nominated for “Music Feature or Special” along with “I’ve Got Aux” produced by Listro, and juniors Bella Dix and Ally Hall.
Juniors George Accola, Joe Colaizzi, and sophomore Patrick Scott received a “Promotional Announcement” nod for their “Wall Street Weekly Promo.”
Sophomore Evan Mick received nominations under “Sports Feature” for two interviews. Mick works as the assistant sports director.
After former head football coach Keith Otterbein retired at the end of last season, Mick interviewed current head football coach Nate Shreffler. He also interviewed sophomore Julian Lee, a kicker for the Chargers.
“My interview with Julian was a lot of fun because I am a kicker myself so I understand much of what he said,” Mick said.
The IBS also nominated Mick and sophomore Julius Graber for a broadcast of a Chargers women’s basketball game.
“The girls ended up winning by one point so it was an exciting game,” Mick said. “Julius Graber did such a phenomenal job as the play-by-play announcer that we were nominated.”
According to Bertram, Radio Free Hillsdale offers students the opportunity to produce shows while improving their craft in leadership roles.
“The student leadership structure helps ensure that students are holding each other to high standards year after year,” Bertram said. “We have a dedicated group of students who are committed to producing the best content possible and who are determined to improve over time.”
Barker’s graduation marked the end of “The Policy Corner,” but he said he believes his time at the radio station served him well.
“From a personal perspective, my hope was that writing and producing ‘The Policy Corner’ would help me gain a better understanding of the political and legislative climate and I think that was certainly successful,” Barker said.
Bertram said he is excited about the recognition the students will receive for their work.
“I’m lucky to work with broadcasters and journalists who are willing to learn, listen to suggestions, and respond to constructive criticism about their shows and features and newscasts,” Bertram said.
