KU students receive 25 state, regional broadcasting awards

LAWRENCE -- Twenty University of Kansas students recently received a total of 25 awards from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters and the Society of Professional Journalists. The students were cited for their work in news, sports programming, public service announcements, entertainment and Web site design.

The KAB awards were given out at the 2003 Student Seminar April 16 in Wichita. First-place winners received plaques; all others received certificates.

In KAB undergraduate television, the news staff of KUJH-TV, the university television station, won first place for Complete Newscast for KUJH-TV News, Nov. 22, 2002, produced by Michael Bieke, Powell, Wyo., senior. The staff also won second place for the Nov. 18, 2002, broadcast, produced by Tawnya Bach., Jetmore senior.

Kodi Tillery, Kansas City, Kan., senior, won first place in Hard News Package for her story "Tuition Increase." Adam Stein took second with his story "Skateboard Park Lights."

Bieke won first place in Complete News Feature for "Kansas Water Quality." Honorable mention awards went to Andrea Burnett, Arlington, Va., senior, for "Celebration"; Janet Mason, Lenexa senior, for "KU Employees Work for Change"; and Melissa Freeman, Olathe senior, for "Staying Awake."

Theresa Freed, 2002 graduate, won first place in Hard News Package-Intern with her story "Smoking Out Cigarette Business," first place in Complete News Package-Intern for "Hogwild" and Complete Sports Feature-Intern for "Patriotic Racing."

Christopher Martin, Prairie Village senior, won first place in Entertainment Program for "Out of Focus."

The SPJ Region 7 Mark of Excellence Awards were given out March 29 at the regional conference in Columbia, Mo. All award recipients received certificates, and first-place winners will move on to compete in the national competition, with those winners being announced at the SPJ national convention Sept. 11 through 13 in Tampa, Fla.

Burnett won first place in General News Reporting for "Celebration." Tillery won second in General News Reporting for "Mail Box Pipe Bombs."

Bieke won second in In-depth Reporting for "Kansas Water Quality." Mason won third place for "KU Employees Work for Change."

Heather Attig, Colorado Springs, Colo., graduate student, won second place in television feature reporting for "Ticks," and Joy Larson, Oakland, Iowa, senior, and Barry Loudis, Springfield, Mo., senior, won third place for "Taxes."

In KAB undergraduate radio, Tyler Ortega, Longton senior, won first place in 30-second Commercial, PSA or Donor Announcement for "Humane Society-Guitar Cat." Beth Allin, Shawnee senior, and Meredith Vacek, Olathe junior, received honorable mention for "Chipotle" and "Liberty Video," respectively.

Ryan Greene, Vernon Hills, Ill., junior, and Mike Alzamora, Lawrence senior, each won honorable mention for Sports Play-by-Play for Kansas vs. Arizona, Jan. 25, 2003.

C.J. Wilford, St. Louis senior, won second place in Entertainment Program for "Saturday Night Preview."

Chris Shively, Kansas City, Mo., junior, and Craig Comstock won first place for Station Web Site.

The winners' hometown information is listed below. Hometowns: Derby, Dodge City, Garden City, Jetmore, Kansas City, Lawrence, Lenexa, Longton,Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Kan.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Oakland, Iowa; Lexington, Ky.; Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield, Mo.; Powell, Wyo.; and Arlington, Va.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence and Lexington, Ky.
Miguel Alzamora, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, son of Luisa Perez; Henry Clay High School (Lexington, Ky.) graduate.

ELK COUNTY
From Longton
Tyler Ortega, senior in journalism, strategic communications emphasis, son of Sheryl Ortega; Elk Valley High School graduate.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City
Theresa Freed, spring 2002 graduate.

FORD COUNTY
From Dodge City and Arlington, Va.
Andrea Burnett, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Tracy Schemper of Arlington, Va.; Dodge City High School graduate.

HODGEMAN COUNTY
From Jetmore
Tawnya Bach, senior in theatre and film and in journalism, news and information emphasis, daughter of Ron and Theresa Bach; Jetmore High School graduate.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Janet Mason, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, and in political science, daughter of Sheryl and Bill Mason; Shawnee Mission West High School graduate.

From Olathe
Melissa Freeman, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, daughter of Nancy and David Freeman; Sterling High School graduate.
Meredith Vacek, junior in Germanic languages and literatures, daughter of James and Kathy Vacek; St. Thomas Aquinas High School graduate.

From Overland Park
Adam Stein, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, son of Steven and Jeanne Stein; Olathe East High School graduate.

From Prairie Village
Craig Comstock, non-degree-seeking student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, son of Patricia Comstock; Shawnee Mission East High School graduate.
Christopher D. Martin, senior in theatre and film, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Martin; Shawnee Mission East High School graduate.

From Shawnee
Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Allin, senior in communication studies, daughter of Tim and Kathy Allin; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Derby and St. Louis, Mo.
Clinton James "C.J." Wilford, senior in communication studies and pre-journalism, son of Sheilah Hamilton of St. Louis; Derby High School graduate.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY
From Kansas City
Kodi Tillery, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, daughter of Kenneth and Brenda Tillery; Piper High School graduate.

COLORADO
From Colorado Springs
Heather Attig, graduate student in journalism, daughter of Ron and Ann Attig.

ILLINOIS
From Vernon Hills
Ryan Greene, junior in journalism, news and information emphasis, son of Steve and Dale Greene; Libertyville High School graduate.

IOWA
From Oakland
Joy Larson, senior in English and in journalism, news and information emphasis, daughter of Merle and Vera Larson; Riverside High School graduate.

KENTUCKY
From Lexington and Derby, Kan.
Miguel Alzamora, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, son of Luisa Perez; Henry Clay High School graduate.

MISSOURI
From Kansas City
Christopher Shively, junior in social studies, son of Melanie Shively; Shawnee Mission North High School graduate.

From St. Louis and Derby, Kan.
Clinton James "C.J." Wilford, senior in communication studies and pre-journalism, son of Sheilah Hamilton of St. Louis; Derby High School graduate.

From Springfield
Barry Loudis, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, son of Anthony and Vanessa Loudis; Kickapoo High School graduate.

WYOMING
From Powell
Michael Bieke, senior in journalism, news and information emphasis, son of Bob Krenz and Kathleen Bieke; Powell High School graduate.

VIRGINIA
From Arlington and Dodge City, Kan.
Andrea Burnett, senior in journalism, strategic communications emphasis, daughter of Tracy Schemper; Dodge City High School graduate.