U of A Student Broadcast Journalists Earn Top Honors in Regional Awards Ceremony

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Award winning UATV newscast

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Arkansas broadcast students and alumni from the Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism received recognition for their work during the South Central Broadcast Society Regional Awards Ceremony and the Mid-America Emmys this past weekend.

Student news producers Sarah Brown, Hayley Noga and Alysson Leflar won the highest honor at the competition. Judges awarded the team the Grand Prize for the Tuesday night 9 p.m. newscast that aired on UATV, the university’s student-run television station. The winning entry featured stories told by broadcast students who covered the deadly tornadoes that hit Mayflower and Vilonia in April.

“Our student producers and reporters work hard to produce live newscasts four days a week,” said UATV co-advisor and journalism instructor Tiffany King.  “This recognition shows that dedication and a team effort really do pay off.”

Former UATV Reporter Mallory Jordan, who graduated in May, received the Grand Prize in the Hard News/Spot News category. Her winning story detailed how students were affected by severe winter weather that shut down the University of Arkansas campus last winter. Jordan is now a general assignment reporter for KAIT-TV in Jonesboro.

Other winners include Jacob Pinter, finalist in the Hard News/Spot News Category, Emily Tubert, finalist for Sports Package, Tera Bradham, Honorable Mention News Feature Package, and Brett Rorie, Honorable Mention for Sports Package.

UATV News Anchors Krystle Sherrell and Jacob Pinter accepted Finalist Awards in the TV Talent Category.

“I’m thrilled for these students, but not surprised,” said Professor Larry Foley, Chair of the Walter J. Lemke Journalism Department. “It shows that our department has arrived.”

U of A students competed against students from such schools as Oklahoma State, University of Nebraska, Kansas State, Texas Tech and the University of Oklahoma.

The South Central Broadcasting Society Regional Competition is coordinated by broadcast programs in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Three broadcast graduates of the Lemke Department of Journalism were honored with prestigious Mid-America Emmy Awards on Saturday.

Jadiann Thompson, B.A. 2007, received two Emmys, one for Best On-Camera Talent/Anchor, and the second for Best News Report. Thompson works as a news anchor and general assignment reporter for KSHB, the NBC-TV affiliate in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jehan Sheikh, B.A. 2011, was part of the winning newscast team for coverage of the Hailey Owens tragedy. Sheikh is a reporter for KYTV in Springfield, Missouri. 

Former student Brad Reed and Lemke Graduate Ben Goodwin, B.A. 2006, were honored with an Emmy for their news report that aired on KFTA, the Fox affiliate in Fayetteville.