Two Huskers placed in the national Hearst Journalism Awards Audio Competition on Feb. 9, 2022. Chase Porter, who graduated in May 2021 with degrees in broadcasting and philosophy, took first place. Ethan Petrik, a senior sports media and communication and broadcasting double major, placed 15th.
Porter was selected for his entries, “Lincoln Broadcaster’s progression from TEDx to his own radio show,” and “Battle of the Joshes: How an internet meme raised more than $13,000 for the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.”
Petrik was selected for his entries, “Former Husker sprinter finds outlet in songwriting,” and “As Lincoln grows, bird-friendly communities can protect native species.”
All of the entries were published on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications news website, Nebraska News Service, and aired on the campus radio station, 90.3 KRNU.
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program is comprised of 14th monthly competitions in a variety of categories including writing, photojournalism, audio, television and multimedia. Participation is limited to journalism programs accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications and each school is limited to two entries in each competition.
“To have both of our entries place in the top 20 is incredible,” said Kaci Richter, an assistant professor of broadcasting who taught both winners. “I’m so proud of the hard work our students put into their stories. It’s great to see that determination recognized.”
All four of the entries were produced while Porter and Petrik were enrolled in CoJMC’s senior capstone course, The News Lab. The stories were produced on a newsroom-like deadline. Each was pitched, reported, produced and published within a two-week timeframe.
The Hearst Journalism Awards Program was founded in 1960 to provide support, encouragement and assistance to journalism education at the college and university level. The program awards scholarships to students for outstanding performance in college-level journalism, with matching grants to the students’ schools. The 62nd annual program, offering up to $700,000 in awards, consists of five monthly writing competitions, two photojournalism competitions, one audio competition, two television competitions, and four multimedia competitions – with championship finals in all divisions.
