By Lucy Honeywell
The Susquehanna University student-run radio station, WQSU 88.9 The Pulse, received multiple awards over the last few weeks.
WQSU won two Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) awards, making it the only university station to receive multiple honors in this year’s competition. The competition is open to all commercial and non-commercial radio stations across Pennsylvania, placing WQSU alongside professional broadcasting organizations.
The PA Pigskin Preview is a multi-platform sports talk show that welcomes high school and college football teams. The show, hosted by students Brai Tate, Harrison Karsch, and Matthew Kaufman, won an “Excellence in Broadcasting” award.
“This award means a lot to our college radio station because we are being judged alongside commercial radio stations. Our hard work is recognized across the broadcasting community,” said Tate.
The WQSU Salutes the Susquehanna Valley segment also received an Excellence in Broadcasting award, specifically the “Spotlight on Selinsgrove” marketing campaign produced by Ben Boeshore, Sebastian Caraballo, Kate DeCamp, and Lily Mandalas. The campaign was in partnership with the Communications Department’s Advanced Selling Class which gave students real-world experience in engaging with customers to sell sponsorships.
WQSU also won three Broadcast Education Association (BEA) awards in their first year of participation. The entire station was recognized for an honorable mention award in the Dr. Marjorie Yambor Signature Radio Station contest. Smokey K, Harrison Karsch, won in the On Air Personality category and Ben Boeshore won for his Phi Mu Delta Haunted House public service announcement in the PSA/Promo/Commercial category.
“These awards are a reflection of the extraordinary talent and dedication of our students at WQSU. Their commitment to excellence and passion for the media industry is an inspiration,” said WQSU General Manager Dawn Benfer.
The WQSU staff and officers attended the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems conference in New York City from February 19-21. Professor Craig Stark and Professor Linda Burkley from the Communications Department also attended and gave presentations. During the conference, the station presented two standing-room-only sessions: “On Air- On Site- On Point: College Radio’s Pathway to Professionalism,” which explored how students transition their radio skills into a professional career, and “The Courage to be Kind,” which focused on leading with kindness to build supportive station teams. The station was nominated for a total of 10 awards at the conference. Students had the opportunity to network with professionals, exchange station news and tips, and showcase the positive work they are doing.
“What sets the BEA apart from the others is that it is sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasting which gives WQSU students the opportunity to put their work on a national stage. I am so honored to be recognized on that level,” said student broadcaster Harrison Karsh.
The student staff of WQSU credit their success and passion for radio broadcasting to their General Manager, Dawn Benfer.
Sports Director Brai Tate said, “WQSU is successful because of the collaboration and community we have. Our officer team works together alongside our advisor, Dawn Benfer. Dawn is very passionate about her job and her students; she wants all of us to succeed. Dawn is more than a professor to all of us in WQSU, everyone knows that her door is always open and we can go to her to talk about anything”.
WQSU will accept their PAB awards at the organization’s awards luncheon on April 10 in Hershey. The BEA honors will be presented on April 20 in Las Vegas at the BEA conference.