Millikin University's student-run radio station 89.5 WJMU "The Quad" was recognized at the 77th annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Conference held March 3-5 in New York.
WJMU was a finalist nominee in two award categories. Michael Sheldon, a senior music major from Lockport, Ill., was a finalist in the Best Station Contest/Promotional Event category for his work titled, "Daft Punkatonix Tickets Giveaway." Recent Millikin graduate Lena Dyer '16 was a finalist in the Best Show Promotional Piece category for her work titled, "Song of the Week Intro."
IBS Awards finalists represent the top three to five percent of work submitted in their category to the National IBS from the previous year. This is the fourth consecutive year that WJMU has been represented by a finalist nominee.
"This type of recognition shows that we have a great staff – any recognition, in my opinion, is always about what the students have put together," said Sam Meister, lecturer of communication and WJMU faculty advisor at Millikin. "In terms of the promotional projects, the students did incredible work."
Over 1,000 attendees from 122 different schools from three countries were at this year's IBS Conference making it one of the largest attended conferences in IBS history. WJMU executive board members participated in round table discussions and panel sessions at the conference.
"Meeting and networking with professionals from the conference made me think of all the ways I could better myself while bettering WJMU," said Rebecca Coutcher, a senior communication major from Manhattan, Ill. "My experience at WJMU has helped me focus on what I want to do after college which is promotional or on-air work."
In reference to the WJMU experience, Meister says, "I hope more than anything that the students learn agency, and that they go above and beyond with their skill sets. For 24 hours a day, we're an outlet that's always a display for Performance Learning, and that's a great thing."
WJMU's programming features shows that focus on sports, music and news as well as international programming that highlights Spanish, Blues and professional E-sports. Another element the station offers is the ability to play vinyl records on the air and feature music from bands that made radio relevant in society today. The station currently operates in Lower Richards Treat University Center.
For more information on WJMU, visit millikin.edu/wjmu.
Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, Inc. is a not for profit education association and foundation that serves not for profit education affiliated high school radio, college radio and community stations and streaming/webcasters. The organization has over 1,000 radio, television and webcasting station members. For more information on IBS, visit collegebroadcasters.us.