Student media groups at Shippensburg University have a history of success, and this month, one is being recognized.
Earlier this August, both SUTV and several alumni received a total of 17 Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations, including three for broadcasts from the last academic year. SUTV News is a student-produced weekly newscast covering events at SU as well as in the surrounding community. This is the third time SUTV has been nominated and in 2012, they received their first win. Other universities nominated is include Kutztown, Penn State, Temple and more.
The nominations include “Spring Game,” created by students Chris Eckstein, Trey Kemball and Lance Kopp; “Gift of Life,” created by Holly Harrar and “The Haiti Project,” created by Allison Hill. SUTV adviser and communications/journalism department chair, Kim Garris, oversees each broadcast.
In order to qualify for an Emmy, the organization submitting a piece must be completely college staffed, and the students involved cannot submit work from a professional news station. The submissions are sent to a panel of professionals who select ones they feel are worthy. Garris is very aware of the professionalism of the students who received the nominations.
“They are very dedicated and committed to what they do and it shows in their work,” Garris said. “When we go to these award dinners, they know who we are.”
SU senior and SUTV news director, Holly Harrar, is one of the nominated students, nominated for her broadcast “Gift of Life,” a human-interest piece she did last year about the SU director of sports medicine, Wes Mallicone. He was diagnosed as a child with ulcerative colitis that took a turn for the worse when he was 34-years-old.
Mallicone received a liver transplant in 2011 thanks to the Gift of Life Donor program. Harrar worked on the piece, conducting interviews and doing research to produce a strong piece of work for the next newscast and to her surprise, gained her an Emmy nomination.
“I did not think out of all the pieces we submitted, that one would be chosen,” Garris said. “It is a sense of reassurance that I am doing what I am supposed to and is a nice boost of confidence. I’m very proud of our program and the other nominees.”
Winners will be announced September 19 at an awards dinner in Philadelphia. Seven SU students are attending, along with Garris and numerous alumni.
SUTV broadcasts every Thursday at 7 p.m. on campus channel 82 and Comcast channel 21.
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