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Pictured, in the front row, from left, are Emma Hoary, Devin Brooks, Jasmine Crighton and Emily Stieren. In the back row, from left, are Zach Stone, Devin Christmon, Evan Williamson, MaKenzie Yearby and Marcellus Angel.
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WIU Broadcasting Students Win Nine INBA Awards

April 17, 2019

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MACOMB, IL – Students in the Western Illinois University Department of Broadcasting and Journalism were presented with nine state broadcasting awards during the Illinois News Broadcasters Association (INBA) conference in Normal, IL, over the weekend.

The department was notified earlier this month that WIU students had won either first or second place in news and sports categories in the competition.

"The department is very proud of all of our students and the work they're doing," said WIU Broadcasting Instructor Jasmine Crighton. "WIU students this year won more awards than any of the other state universities. Our faculty works hard to provide lots of hands-on opportunities so students can practice their skills regularly. It shows in the recognition our students received in the SINBA competition."

This year's WIU award winners at the INBA conference were:

• Outstanding Soft Radio Program – Second place: Kyle O'Reilley, a junior broadcasting major, of Roscoe, IL

"Being able to be recognized for all the hard work we have put in every week is very rewarding," said O'Reilley.


• Outstanding Radio News Reporting – First place: Emily Stieren, a junior broadcasting major, of Springfield, IL

"Winning two first place awards, and the INBA scholarship, makes me feel very special and that all my hard work was worth it," said Stieren. "I really have the WIU broadcasting department and Tri States Public Radio to thank for my achievements."


• Outstanding Radio Sports Reporting: First place: Devin Christmon, a senior sports broadcasting major, of Springfield, IL, and

"It feels good to be recognized for all of the hard work I have put in throughout the year," said Christmon. "Because of this honor, I will be able to make connections with multiple professionals in the business, and even present them with a piece of award winning work."


• Outstanding Radio Sports Reporting: Second place: MaKenzie Yearby, a junior broadcasting major, of Grandview, MO

"The INBA conference helped me network with professionals as well as current broadcasting student," said Yearby. "I also received many writing tips from outstanding reporter, Boyd Huppert."


• Outstanding Use of Sound – First place: Stieren


• Outstanding Hard Television Program – First place: Devin Brooks, a sophomore broadcasting major, of St. Louis, MO

"What the INBA awards mean to me is that the opportunities and instruction in the WIU Broadcasting and Journalism Department is allowing me to perfect my craft and get the experience needed for my future," said Brooks.


• Outstanding Soft Television Program – Second place: Marcellus Angel, a junior broadcasting major of Milan, IL

"Receiving this award has reminded me of all the hard work we put in writing and producing and how at the end of the day it is worth it. We have received a lot of community support this semester surrounding the program," said Angel. "Being the producer for this show has given me the opportunity to put the skills I've gained from being in the broadcasting and journalism department to good use. This award shows that my education is paying off."


• Outstanding Television News Reporting – First place: Brooks


• Outstanding Television Sports Reporting – Second place: Christmon

During the conference, Brooks was awarded the Ed Brown Scholarship and Stieren was awarded the Bill Miller Scholarship.

For more information about the WIU Department of Broadcasting and Journalism, visit wiu.edu/bcj.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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