University of Southern Mississippi student broadcasters rose to the top once again as they received a total of nine awards from this year’s annual Mississippi Association of Broadcasters competition in Jackson, Miss.

Students from the School of Mass Communication and Journalism competed against students from universities and colleges throughout the state. In all, four gold and five silver awards were given to Southern Miss’ WUSM radio and Hub City TV programs.
This honor marks the second major state award for Hub City TV, which won first place in the Associated Press awards in the spring.
 
Dr. Mary Sheffer, assistant professor of broadcasting, entered the programs in this year’s competition. “It is truly rewarding to see their growth rewarded in these prestigious awards,” she said. “I couldn’t be prouder of my students and the effort they put into this year’s competition.”

Hub City TV is a student run news program, where students are responsible for every aspect of the show from producing content to camera operation.

Hub City TV won gold as the Best TV Program for “Hub City TV Show 6.” DJay Johnson, a spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Richland, Miss., served as assistant producer. Others involved with this segment are as follows: Meghan Graham, spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Pass Christian, Miss.; Kameo King, spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Aberdeen, Miss.; Mercer Morrison, spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Pensacola, Fl.; Holly Quiroz, junior broadcast journalism major from Petal, Miss.; and Kecia Easley, spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Mobile, AL.

Hub City TV also won gold for the Best News Story “Policing Meth”, by King and Jason Lang, a spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Columbia, Miss.
Silver awards went to Johnson for Best Feature in “Trent Lott”; “Behind Extreme Home Makeover” as Program/Entertainment by Lang, Johnson, Morrison, Beth Alexander, a spring 2010 graduate in broadcast journalism from Little Rock, Miss., and Stefanie McDavid, a fall 2009 graduate in broadcast journalism from Columbia, Miss.; and “Beelicious” for Feature by Johnson.
 
“Hub City TV covers the entire Pine Belt,” Sheffer said. “My philosophy is to get them off campus, because when they graduate they won’t be doing on-campus stories.”

In radio production, WUSM, FM 88.5 broadcasters also took home awards for its programming that spans the Pine Belt community as well. Tim Finnigan, WUSM’s former sports director, won gold in the student division “Sports Segment.”
 
“These awards truly recognize the talent of our students, staff and faculty. It is an honor to be recognized by our peers and illustrates the quality of our programs,” said Stan Sanders, director of the Student Media Center.

Assistant professor Kim LeDuff and WUSM General Manager Jeff Rassier received gold in the faculty division for Public Service program or series for “The Big Read.” WUSM’s series, “As a Matter of Faith,” which is produced by Rassier and Allen Eickelman, received a silver award, as well as the station’s Assistant General Manager Elliot Crawford for a PSA called “60 Second Spot.”

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.