WKSU RECOGNIZED BY PRESS CLUB OF CLEVELAND

Friday February 24, 2006

WKSU was recognized with 13 Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards by the Press Club of Cleveland June 17 at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center. Included among the honors were four first-place awards and a second-place in the Best of Ohio – Website category. For the second year in a row, every member of the WKSU reporting team won at least one award at this year's competition. Award entries were judged by Press Club chapters from around the country.

WKSU winners of the Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards from the Press Club of Cleveland are:

•     Second Place-Best in Ohio – Website, Senior LAN Administrator Chuck Poulton for "wksu.org."
The WKSU website offers listeners additional information on programming (including playlists), station events and broadcast news reports.

•     First Place – In-depth Coverage, Reporter/Producers Mark Urycki and Kevin Niedermier for "Presidential Conventions."
On-the-scene reports from Boston and New York covered the conventions from the point of view of the Ohio delegations. The judges add: Unique story angles from the conventions. Good job bringing the local delegation to the forefront.

•     First Place – News Writing, Reporter/Producer Julie Grant for "Packing Heat."
Grant uses a first-hand approach in her report on Ohio’s new firearms conceal/carry law. The judges add: Good storytelling, well written; you could feel Julie's emotions as she took the class. A story with a real message.

•     First Place – Commentary, Commentator Diana Keough for "Naked."
A once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot stretches Keough's personal boundaries as she stands side-by-side with thousands of nude people in the name of art. The judges add: Well-deserved award for going the extra mile and having the guts to actually experience the story.

•     First Place – Sports Reports/Commentary, Reporter/Producer Kevin Niedermier for "Tribe Wins Home Opener."
On the first home game of the season, Niedermier heads to Jacobs Field and talks to fans and area business owners about 10 years under the lights of The Jake.

Other WKSU awards include:

•     Second Place – New Media, Features, Poulton, Urycki and Niedermier for "Presidential Conventions."
The judges say: This feature provides great 'added value' for listeners who want more depth and photos. Well done!

•     Second Place – Documentary, Reporter/Producer Michelle Chyatte for "Her Husband, His Wife, Their Kidney."

•     Second Place – Use of Sound, Urycki for "Polar Express."
The judges say: A fun story brings the movie to life on a real 'Polar Express train ride.' Good use of recording kids' reactions on the train.

•     Second Place – In-depth Coverage, Reporter/Producer Vivian Goodman for "Ethnic Migration."
The judges say: A look back in Northeast Ohio history. Very interesting to listen to.

•     Second Place – Spot News, Grant for "Karl Rove in Cuyahoga Falls."

•     Second Place – Public Service, Urycki and the WKSU Newsroom for "Teenagers: The Millennial Generation."

•     Honorable Mention – General News, Reporter/Producer Vincent Duffy for "Bush Lock-out."

•     Honorable Mention – Ongoing Coverage, WKSU Newsroom for "Presidential Election 2004."

This year's Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards Competition marks the event's 27th anniversary as a statewide competition for the best in print and broadcast journalism.

WKSU broadcasts NPR & Classical Music at 89.7 FM, and is a service of Kent State University. WKSU programming is also heard on WKRW 89.3 FM in Wooster, WKRJ 91.5 FM in Dover/New Philadelphia, WKSV 89.1 FM in Thompson and WNRK 90.7 FM in Norwalk. The WKSU website is www.wksu.org.

PR05.16           ###      6/21/05

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