Dean Maria Marron of The University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications has renamed scholarships funded by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association as the George M. (Marty) Riemenschneider Nebraska Broadcasters Association Scholarships.
Each year the Nebraska Broadcasters Association awards scholarships to students from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications based upon certain criteria. The students must be pursuing a major in broadcasting, have earned at least 60 credit hours and be recommended by the scholarship committee of the College.
“It is appropriate that we honor Marty in this way,” said Dean Maria Marron of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “He has been an advocate for education and an active partner with us for many years. We are truly grateful to Marty and the Nebraska Broadcasters Association.”
Marty Riemenschneider served as president and executive director of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association from 2002 until 2014 when he became president emeritus. Under his leadership, the organization grew substantially and offered an ever-increasing number of member benefits. He was one of the founding organizers of the Nebraska Amber Alert program and served on the State Emergency Communications Committee.
Riemenschneider started his career in 1971 as an account executive and part-time announcer at WSON-AM in Henderson, Ky. after graduating with a degree in radio-television from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He was born and raised in Paxton, Ill., worked for many years at Lackey Broadcasting in Henderson. He became sales manager and station manager during a 15-year period in the Evansville, Indiana-Henderson market.
In 1986, he moved to Omaha where he was hired by Mitchell Broadcasting Company as general sales manager for KQKQ (Sweet 98). During this period, he assisted in the startup of KKAR (now KOIL) in 1987.
In 1990, Marty was named general manager of the Mitchell Omaha stations as well as chief operations officer over the other Mitchell radio properties in Nebraska. Mitchell stations grew in numbers to 14 radio properties, and two construction permits at the time Mitchell entered into an LMA and subsequent sale of the stations to Waitt Radio in 2000.
In 2001, He was employed by Mediawebworks, an Omaha-based internet company that specialized in developing websites and audio streaming for broadcasting, where he served as General Manager.
Riemenschneider has a long history of involvement in professional and community organizations, having served on the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Board of Directors form 1995-2000, and was president in 1999. He was a founding member of the Metro Omaha Radio Broadcasters Association, holding several offices during its existence and also served in various functions with the United Way and Operation Community Pride.
In January, 2013, The Nebraska Broadcasters announced a $100,000 give to the college’s broadcasting program. The gift is given over five years and is used to fund equipment acquisition and maintenance. This gift provided a much needed upgrade of both the television and radio operations at the College. Additionally, it provides students with the opportunity to work with the latest technology.
The Nebraska Broadcasters Association was formed in 1934 to advance the best interests of the free, local, over-the-air, full-service radio (and later television) broadcast industry in Nebraska. For more information, visit ne-ba.org.
