GREENVILLE, Pa.—Eight Thiel College students are finalists in five categories for Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Golden Mic awards.
Thiel College’s campus television station TCTV has three shows as finalists, while the radio station WXTC had two nominees.
Winners will be announced during the 77th Annual International Conference on March 3-5 in New York City. The event annually features 150 speakers, 100 sessions and tours, and more than 1,400 U.S. and international attendees.
Khari Bess ’16, of Waldorf, Md.; Lucas Blacka ’18, of McKeesport, Pa.; Kara Bussard ’16, of Moon Township, Pa.; Kyle Hockenberry ’18, of Kittanning, Pa.; Joe Pouliot ’17, of Linesville, Pa.; and Rob Thompson ’18, of Youngstown, Ohio are finalists for two awards. The students are among five finalists for a Best Comedy Program award for “Two-finger Discount” and one of four finalists for Best Variety Program for “Dorm Room Dining: Pepperoni Pizza Bagels.” Blacka and Pouliot were also nominated for Best Program Promotion for “Greek Week Sports Compilation: Thiel College 2016.”
“Thiel’s multiple nominees for national awards in both television and radio programming show what great work our faculty, students and staff are doing in our Department of Media, Communication and Public Relations,” Dane S. Claussen, Ph.D., Thiel’s James Pedas Professor of Communication, said. “We are thrilled to receive this kind of recognition from our peers around the country.”
Claussen also is department chair and Executive Director of the James Pedas Communication Center.
Dan Wagner ’17, of Espyville, Pa., and Aelita Ferrante ’17, of Warren, Ohio, were nominated for a radio award for Best Talk Show for “Teamwork,” a specialty topic show about gaming. Ferrante’s program “Limitless,” a twice-weekly show that explores pushing past societal labels and limitations, was also nominated as a Most Innovate Program. The two shows are among the five finalists in each category.
“I am so excited about the two shows nominated by IBS for Golden Mic Awards: Aelita’s ‘Limitless’ and she and Dan’s show ‘Teamwork.’ Of the 40-plus hours of student-generated programming WXTC broadcasts, these shows are ones that emphasize tolerance and collaboration, and those are great representations of our school and student body,” WXTC adviser Peg Watts said. “Our WXTC students are dedicated, motivated, creative bright spots on campus and on the radio.”
This is Wagner’s second year with an IBS nomination. He was named best production director at last year’s event for his work at WXTC.
About the James Pedas Communication Center
The 20,000 square foot Pedas Center is home to the high-definition television studio; radio station; College newspaper; Department of Media, Communication and Public Relations; and the Office of Admission. The academic spaces in the $6.8 million building include the amphitheater-style Stamm Lecture Hall, flexible classrooms and collaborative areas, and a 24-hour computer lab with more than 20 computers. Trustee emeritus Dr. James Pedas ’50, H’89, is a movie and music producer, real estate developer, and entrepreneur. The Farrell, Pa. native provided the lead gift for the Pedas Center. Students from all majors benefit from the Pedas Communication Center as they get instruction and guidance on how to incorporate modern communication methods into their professional lives. The Pedas Center was recognized in February 2015 as Thiel College’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building for its conservation techniques and commitment to renewable resources.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.