Western Illinois University’s student-run broadcast news and sports media, as well as the radio station, have been named as finalists for the annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Media Awards.

NEWS3 staffers, Broadcasting and Journalism’s sports broadcasters, and the Dog WIUS-88.3 FM, were nominated for a number of categories, including Best College/University Television Station, Best Newscast, Best Sports Play-By-Play (Football), Best Sports Report, Best Spot News Interview, Best News Feature Story, Best News Report and Best Sports Play-By-Play Broadcast.

Individual nominees include Spring 2021 Broadcasting graduate Devin Brooks; junior Broadcasting and Journalism major Kevin Dieppa, of Levittown, NY; NEWS3 staff; senior Broadcasting and Journalism major Dylan Smith, of Mattoon, IL; Sport Management graduate student Azelea Phinata, of Macomb; and junior Broadcasting and Journalism major Kennedy Williams, of Glendale Heights, IL.

The 82nd annual IBS Media Awards will be held during the 2022 IBS Conference this spring. The conference consists of broadcasting workshops and guest speakers. The conference will conclude with the awards ceremony.

NEWS3 is the student-run television station and WIUS-88.3 FM is the student-operated radio station at WIU. Both are located within the University’s Department of Broadcasting and Journalism.

Here is the list of nominations:

• Best College/University Television Station: NEWS3, Western Illinois University, NEWS3 Staff.

• Best News Feature Story: “COLD CASE: Family seeks answers in death of 14-year-old boy,” Western Illinois University, Williams.

• Best News Report: “WIU hosts annual rally to raise awareness of sexual violence, “Western Illinois University, NEWS3, Williams and Brooks.

• Best Newscast: “NEWS3 Newscast Oct. 14, 2021,” Western Illinois University, NEWS3.

• Best Newscast: “NEWS3 Newscast Oct. 21, 2021,” Western Illinois University, NEWS3.

• Best Sports Play-By-Play Broadcast: “WIU Football vs. Youngstown State,” Western Illinois University, Leatherneck Insider, WIU Sports Broadcasting – Spring 2021.

• Best Sports Report: “WIU Esports – Leatherneck Insider,” Western Illinois University, Leatherneck Insider, Phinata.

• Best Sports Play-By-Play (Football): “WIU Football vs Youngstown State – 88.3 The Dog,” Western Illinois University, 88.3 The Dog, Dieppa.

• Best Spot News Interview: “WIU students react to in-person graduation commencement cancellation,” Western Illinois University, NEWS3, Smith.

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

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.