Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- For the fourth year running, University of Wisconsin-Platteville communication technologies students gained recognition at the National Broadcasting Society's Undergraduate Electronic Media Competition. The awards were announced at the 67th annual NBS National Convention held in New York City in late March. Submissions from UWP earned honorable mention in two categories: video studio or live studio and sports play-by-play programming.

Robert Snyder, professor of broadcast production and faculty advisor for student video productions, talked about the significance behind students gaining recognition in two separate divisions. "The fact that we placed in two very distinct categories is a very strong testament to the overall skills set and analytical abilities of our students," said Snyder.

A broadcast of a UWP men's basketball game against UW-Stevens Point earned recognition in the sports play-by-play category. All students involved in the broadcast are communication technologies majors and included 2008 graduates Jeremy Hach of Middleton, David Clay, Valerie Ackerman and Megan Etter as well as current students James Flannery of Barneveld and Norbert Durst of Hillpoint. "I knew that the people working behind the scenes were a very experienced group," remarked Durst, who called the game's action.

"While watching it, I knew we had great shots and great teamwork to pull off a clean shoot," added Hach, who directed the game's broadcast. Speaking of UWP's submission, one judge commented that he thought he was watching ESPN.

A music video shot in a Green Bay coffeehouse earned students recognition in the video studio or live studio performance segment. Current student Kyle Caploe, a communication technologies major from Platteville and winter 2008 graduate Megan Etter were responsible for the video's production. The video, a recording of Christian singer-songwriter Ronnie Freeman, was recorded for "30-CC,", a half-hour television show showcasing contemporary Christian artists that broadcasts in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. Etter said that UWP has a solid reputation for its video production. "Our school has a reputation for creating professional-quality videos," remarked Etter, "The people who work on the productions put their best effort into making them the best they can, and our hard work gets recognized."

Etter also credited Snyder for UWP's continued success. "He does a good job teaching students to get us prepared and ready for great videos," explained Etter, "He teaches us what we need to know and steps back and lets us figure out the rest while still being available for questions."

Snyder commented on the significance of the communications department's accomplishment. "This is an unprecedented achievement for our program," said Snyder. "To be a finalist at NBS in any year is quite an accomplishment, but to win awards for four years in a row says a lot about the quality of our students and their education."

Anyone with further questions regarding the NBS awards or the communication technologies video productions may contact Snyder at (608) 342-1630 or snyderro@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Robert Snyder, UWP professor of broadcast production, (608) 342-1630, broeger@uwplatt.edu Written by: Ryan Broege, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, broeger@uwplatt.edu