Appalachian’s student news media outlets — AppTV, The Appalachian and The App (WASU-FM 90.5) — were recognized with awards during the 80th annual Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS) International Media Conference held March 6–8 in New York City. Ira David Levy, news adviser for The Appalachian, second from bottom right, accompanied the students to the conference. Pictured, clockwise from bottom left, are communication, electronic media/broadcasting majors Ciera Thompson, a senior from Durham; Olivia Williams, a sophomore from Mint Hill; Michael Edgerton, a junior from Greensboro; Samuel Jacob “Jake” Smith, a senior from Burlington; Taylor “T.J.” Oleson, a senior from Chapel Hill; Tanner Mizelle, a senior from Holly Springs; and Justin Lundy, a senior from Raleigh. Photo submitted
BOONE, N.C. — The best college television station in the nation is broadcast from the George G. Beasley Media Complex at Appalachian State University, according to the Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS).
AppTV — Appalachian’s student-run television station — was named the 2020 Best College TV Station at the 80th annual IBS International Media Conference held March 6–8 in New York City. AppTV was named a finalist for the award in 2019.
Also receiving recognition for excellence in communication at the IBS awards ceremony were The Appalachian newspaper and The App (WASU-FM 90.5) radio station, Appalachian’s other student-run media outlets. Seven students representing AppTV, The Appalachian and The App, all of which are administered by the Department of Communication, attended the conference with Ira David Levy, news adviser for The Appalachian.
“This award means a great deal to the members of our AppTV team, who dedicate their time to the channel and who have a passion for creating original content,” said AppTV Operations Manager Ciera Thompson, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Durham.
Thompson, who also produces the show “This is AppTV” and the AppTV movie “Where You Should Be,” added, “Working at AppTV has been an invaluable experience for me, personally — to be in an environment where people support you while you grow and learn.”
Justin Lundy, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Raleigh, displays the 2020 Best College TV Station award AppTV received, along with the Best Spot News and Best Spot News Coverage finalist awards he received at the IBS International Media Conference, held March 6–8 in New York City. Lundy is an AppTV intern, assistant news director for The App (WASU-FM 90.5) and a field correspondent for The Appalachian. Photo submitted
AppTV Operations Manager Ciera Thompson, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Durham, holds the 2020 Best College TV Station award AppTV received at the IBS International Media Conference held March 6–8 in New York City. Photo submitted
AppTV General Manager Rob Gelber said he believes the amount of original content the AppTV staff has created was key to winning the Best College TV Station award.
“Per day, we broadcast between 18–20 hours of original content,” Gelber said. “When someone flips to the channel at almost any hour of the day, they will see content and news relating to our university and our community. It takes a large group of dedicated individuals who invest their time, energy and talent to make our channel the best it can possibly be.”
In addition to its Best College TV Station award, AppTV and its staff were recognized with the following finalist awards:
- Best Video Comedy Program: “Up Late App State.” The following show staff members were recognized with the award: producer Olivia Williams, a sophomore communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Mint Hill; associate producer Patrick Mullaney ’19, an alumnus of Appalachian’s communication, electronic media/broadcasting program from Holly Springs; and host Samuel Jacob “Jake” Smith, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Burlington.
- Tom Gibson Award for Outstanding Engineering: Emily Mason ’16, chief engineer and production manager for Appalachian’s George G. Beasley Media Complex. She holds a B.S. in communication studies from Appalachian.
- Best Use of Graphics: “Pixel Peak.” The award was presented to the show’s staff: producer Caitlin Hallee ’19, a graduate of Appalachian’s B.S. in communication, electronic media/broadcasting program from Hillsborough; and associate producer Tanner Mizelle, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Holly Springs.
Pictured, from left to right, are The App (WASU-FM 90.5) staff members Samuel Jacob “Jake” Smith, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Burlington; Taylor “T.J.” Oleson, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Chapel Hill; and Olivia Williams, a sophomore communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Mint Hill. As part of the IBS International Media Conference, held March 6–8 in New York City, Smith and Oleson were recognized with Best Radio Drama finalist awards for The App show “Pre-recorded, Live!” and Williams received a Best Video Comedy Program finalist award for producing the AppTV show “Up Late App State.” Photo submitted
The App radio station was recognized with the Best Phone App first place award for its WASU-FM 90.5 mobile app, designed by Doug Brantz, a technology support analyst in Appalachian’s Information Technology Services. The station also received the following finalist awards:
- Best On-Air Personality: Michael Edgerton, a junior communications, electronic media/broadcasting major from Greensboro and promotions intern for The App.
- Best Radio Drama: “Pre-recorded, Live!” — a half-hour sitcom about college students. The award was presented to the show’s creators/actors: Taylor “T.J.” Oleson, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting from Chapel Hill; and Samuel Jacob “Jake” Smith, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting senior from Burlington.
- Best Use of Social Media: The App Instagram account. Kiera Massi, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Charlotte, was recognized with the award.
- Most Innovative/Creative Program: “Mountain Mama Radio Hour.” The show’s host, Lauren Wasmund, of Taylorsville, received the award. Wasmund is a senior double majoring in communication, public relations and communication, journalism.
The Appalachian newspaper received the following finalist awards:
- Best Video Newscast: “The Appalachian Weekly News.” The show’s producer, Sadie Maddock, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Pittsboro, and technical director, Saniye Wilson, a junior communication studies and political science double major from Charlotte, were recognized with the award.
- Best Spot News and Best Spot News Coverage: Justin Lundy, a senior communication, electronic media/broadcasting major from Raleigh, was recognized with both awards. Lundy is a field correspondent for The Appalachian, an AppTV intern and the assistant news director for The App.
View the complete lists of IBS awards winners.
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About the Department of Communication
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the varied fields within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – advertising, communication studies, electronic media/broadcasting, journalism and public relations – and a minor in communication studies. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government and nonprofit organizations. Learn more at https://communication.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
