The 33rd Annual Telly Awards named WIWU-TV51 the winner of three prestigious Telly's this year, awards honoring the best in video and broadcast production across the nation. WIWU-TV received two bronze Telly's and one silver Telly -- the highest recognition possible. Nearly 11,000 entries were submitted from all 50 states and numerous countries to be judged by a panel of previous Silver Telly winners in this year's competition.
The WIWU-TV newsmagazine Crossroads received the Silver Telly in the news feature category for Dr. Randall E. King's segment "The Bridge Keeper," focusing on Matthews, Ind., resident Larry Barnett's fight to restore and maintain an Indiana landmark. Crossroads also received a Bronze Telly for a segment IWU students Russ Clark, Matt Green and Bill Rehr produced for their story on motocross racing in Wabash, Ind.
"The Telly shows the excellence of our student's work on a national stage. We teach it in the classroom; they develop their talents at WIWU-TV, and it's nice to see someone else recognize the quality we and our viewers see every day," said King.
Station manager Paul Crisp also produced three videos for the IWU men's basketball team, which received the award. The videos were used as a promotional campaign for WIWU's 2011-2012 basketball coverage and as a pre-game video for the live audience.
"We love working with our basketball team and are honored that our collaboration was recognized on a national level," said Crisp, an IWU alumnus who began working for WIWU-TV 16 years ago.
"The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video," said Linda Day, Telly Awards executive director. "WIWU-TV51's accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production."
WIWU-TV51, owned and operated by Indiana Wesleyan University, is a local Class A television station serving Marion and Grant county.
Indiana Wesleyan University is an evangelical Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church, which has its world headquarters in Indianapolis. The University was founded in 1920, and is committed to liberal arts and professional education.
More than 3,200 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the university's main campus in Marion, Ind. Another 12,200 adult learners attend classes at education centers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, as well as online.