From Classroom to Career: UW-Whitewater Communication Students Earn Statewide Honors Across Media

WHITEWATER, WI — From broadcast studios to newsroom front pages, students prove that hands-on learning leads to real-world success.
When University of Wisconsin–Whitewater communication students traveled to Lambeau Field for the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Student Forum, they didn’t just attend—they competed, connected, and came home with hardware.
Led by faculty members Jim Mead and Brian Lucas, a group of nearly 25 students represented both UWW-TV and WSUW-FM at the annual event. The forum brought together top broadcast professionals, offering students access to breakout sessions, career insights, and a job fair designed to bridge classroom learning with industry opportunity.
They made the most of it.
By the end of the weekend, UW-Whitewater students earned eight awards for their 2025 productions—recognition that reflects both technical skill and storytelling depth.

Award Highlights – Wisconsin Broadcasters Association
First Place
●    Long Form Audio Storytelling (WSUW)

 “From Laos to the US” — Michael Thao

●    TV Photojournalism (UWW-TV)

 “Saving the Bees” — Eydie Furnett

Second Place
●    TV Newscast — Betsabe Ramos

●    TV Sports Programming — Josh Jacobi, Don Hernandez, Ryan Halada

●    TV Sports Play-by-Play — Nick Demos, Ryan Halada, Colin Reynolds, Bree Loushine, Sam Way

●    TV Special — Josh Jacobi, Gabe Sadoski

●    UWW-TV Website — Molly DeNucci

Third Place
●    TV Newscast — Betsabe Ramos

For students, the recognition is meaningful—but the experience behind it matters just as much.
“This is what happens when students are given real responsibility and real platforms,” said Mead. “They’re not practicing journalism or broadcasting—they’re doing it. And when they step into a professional space like WBA, they realize they belong there.”
That sense of belonging is no accident.
At UW-Whitewater, programs like UWW-TV and WSUW-FM function as live learning environments, where students create content for real audiences in real time. It’s hands-on, high-stakes, and deeply aligned with the College of Arts and Communication’s commitment to experiential learning.
It’s where creators find their voice.
“The classroom is just the beginning,” said Department Chair Dr. Kathy Brady. “When students step into real roles—whether behind the camera, on the mic, or in the control room—that’s when everything clicks. That’s when they realize they’re not preparing for the industry—they’re already in it.”
 
Excellence Across Platforms: Royal Purple Shines at WNA
The momentum didn’t stop at broadcast.
UW-Whitewater’s student-run newspaper, Royal Purple, delivered an equally impressive showing at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Convention—earning 15 awards, including five first-place honors across reporting, photography, design, and digital journalism.

Leading the way was Chase Keller, named 2026 WNA Collegiate Journalist of the Year, one of the highest honors awarded to student journalists in the state.

Charlie Clark earned first place in Sports Photography, while Natalie Illikainen, Kaitlyn Broderick, Fleuretta Phipps, Calise Howard, Mikey Rottier, Aliza Kaiser, and Riley Crowe were recognized for their award-winning contributions.
The Royal Purple staff also received all-staff recognition for Page Design and Website, underscoring the publication’s strength across both print and digital platforms.

The moment carried deeper significance as well, with former advisor Sam Martino posthumously inducted into the WNA Hall of Fame—honoring a legacy that continues to shape student journalism at UW-Whitewater.
A Department Where Learning Means Doing
Across broadcast, audio, and journalism, one thing is clear: UW-Whitewater students aren’t just learning media—they’re leading it.
This is the power of a program built on experiential learning, creative exploration, and community connection. Whether producing a live newscast, crafting long-form audio storytelling, or designing award-winning digital content, students are given the opportunity to do the work—not just study it.
And in doing so, they gain more than skills. They gain confidence, clarity, and a sense of purpose.
They find their voice.
From first-year students discovering their creative instincts to seniors producing professional-level work, the Department of Communication provides a pathway where passion becomes practice—and practice becomes profession.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy in Motion
As the Department of Communication looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in 2027, stories like these reflect more than student achievement—they represent a legacy of impact.
For five decades, the program has empowered students to tell stories that matter, serve communities, and shape industries. Today’s students carry that legacy forward—bringing new energy, new perspectives, and new voices to the field.
And if this moment is any indication, the next 50 years are already taking shape.
Because at UW-Whitewater, the classroom is just the beginning.