Several Wayne State College communications students won Golden Leaf Awards during the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Association’s (NPCMA) conference held March 29 at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Wayne State broadcasting, sports media, and journalism students competed against undergraduate students from Bethel College, Chadron State College, Concordia University, Doane University, Peru State College, Black Hills State University, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
"I can't say enough about the efforts of all of our students, from The Wayne Stater to KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat to KWSC-TV to our sports media students,” said Pat Janssen, a lecturer who teaches in Wayne State’s Department of Communication Arts. “The work our student journalists put in each day to grow and improve and create professional quality content for our campus community is something that makes me very proud.”
“I'm glad so many of our students were honored for the work they've done, but I'm also just glad they've put themselves out there, “continued Janssen, who also serves as advisor to KWSC-TV. “Their work was seen by high-level journalists and broadcasters in the field, giving our students a chance to network and receive really exceptional feedback that will help them continue to grow."
For more information about Wayne State’s Department of Communication Arts and the broadcasting, sports media, and journalism programs, visit www.wsc.edu/communication-arts-department.
KWSC-FM (91.9 The Cat) radio awards:
Nate Bope, Mayfield Village, Ohio
First place – Best Audio Sports Story “NIL Impact on WSC Athletics”
Myles Dais, Indianapolis, Ind.
Second place – Best Audio Sports Story “Basketball Turnover at Wayne State”
Nate Bope, Mayfield Village, Ohio, and Andrew Reiss, Omaha
Third place – Best Audio Sports Story “News Sports Update: Johnny Hockey”
Grace Hunke, Dodge
First place – Best Audio News Story “Death Penalty Update in Nebraska
Leland Dilley, Syracuse
Third place – Best Audio News Story “Wayne State Theatre Department Shines”
Sara McKenna, Sioux City, Iowa
First place – Best Audio Feature Story “It’s On Us”
Quin Otto, Osceola
Second place – Best Audio Feature Story “Lou Lou Louie”
Gabe TerWee, Larchwood, Iowa
Third place – Best Audio Feature Story “Casino Night at Wayne State”
Becca Arkfeld, Battle Creek
First place – Best Audio Promotional Announcement “KWSC-FM Promo (Join Us!)”
Stephanie Palma, Wakefield, and Travis Boock, Allen
Second place – Best Audio Promotional Announcement “Latinos United Promo”
Grant Ferrell, Lincoln
Third place – Best Audio Promotional Announcement “The Queen’s Cartoonists Promo”
Armando Alferez, La Vista, and Isaiah Salmon, Randolph
First place – Best Audio Sports Play-by-Play Announcing “Football: Wayne State vs. Concordia-St. Paul”
Nate Bope, Mayfield Village, Ohio, and Isaiah Salmon, Randolph
Second place – Best Audio Sports Play-by-Play Announcing “Wayne State vs. Minnesota Duluth”
Nate Bope, Mayfield Village, Ohio, and Quin Otto, Osceola
Third place – Best Audio Sports Play-by-Play Announcing “Basketball: Wayne State vs the University of Nebraska-Kearney
"I am proud of the work my students have done in the past year to make KWSC-FM one of the best college radio stations in Nebraska,” said Dr. Sean X. Ahern, associate professor of communication arts at Wayne State and advisor to KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat. “They deserve these awards and the accolades they receive for their accomplishments."
KWSC-TV television awards:
Grant Ferrell, Lincoln
First place – Best Video News Story “Wayne State College Festival of Trees”
Becca Arkfeld, Battle Creek
Second place – Best Video News Story “Anne Frank Exhibit Comes to Wayne State”
Third place – Best Video News Story “Berry Hall Residents Battle Heat Once Again”
John Campbell, Grand Island
Third place – Best Video Sports Story “WSC Sports Report”
The Wayne Stater newspaper awards:
Nate Bope, Mayfield Village, Ohio
First place – Best Sports Column “Transgender Athletes: The New Age Sports Debate”
Second place – Best Sports Feature “Freshman Takes Center Stage as WSC’s New Setter”
Jake McKeown, Norfolk
Second place – Best Sports Column “Suitcase College: What Can Be Done to Change It”
Ally Drahota, Madison
Third place – Best Sports Column “Small Town Perspective on Growth of Women’s Sports”
Becca Arkfeld, Battle Creek
First place – Best General News Story “The Status of Wayne State College Student Debt”
Maddie Genoways, Fort Calhoun
First place – Best House Ad “Want to Advertise with The Wayne Stater?”
Third place – Best In-depth Reporting “Wayne’s Campus and Community Hope for Clarification”
Katherine Hutchison, Washingtonville, N.Y.
Second place – Best Arts & Entertainment Story “If You Want Disney to Stop with the Sequels, Stop Watching Them”
The Wayne Stater (staff)
First place – Best Overall Website (www.thewaynestater.com)
Second place – Best Overall Design
Third place – Best Overall Newspaper
“This year, The Wayne Stater again took the overall win for best website,” said Dr. Liz Viall, advisor to The Wayne Stater and associate professor of communication arts at Wayne State. “The staff, especially online editor Jenna Juzyk and editor-in-chief Jayde Teutsch, really work to keep the website updated with news at Wayne State. We’re very happy their work was recognized for this.”
“I’m very proud of the work our staff has done this past year, and I hope it inspires them to top that work for next year,” added Viall. “The staff, which also includes Nate Bope (sports editor), Kaitlyn Michaelson (photo editor), Taylor Morse (arts and entertainment editor), and Kat Hutchison (copy editor), work hard each week to tell the campus what is happening around Wayne State.”
