CWU SHINES AT PRESTIGIOUS AUDIO-VIDEO COMPETITION

January 3, 2007

ELLENSBURG Wash.-- Central Washington University had eight current students and recent graduates take high honors, including seven first place awards, in 10 different categories at the recent regional segment of the National Broadcasting Society's 44th Annual Student Audio & Video Production Competition.

Because of the volume of categories - 21 alone in video -- winners, from entries involving work produced between fall quarter 2005 and fall quarter 2006, were announced over the period of Nov. 24 through Dec. 8, according to Robert Fordan, CWU communication professor.

"The fact that we won in so many different categories is evidence that we have two very strong programs here, broadcast journalism and film-and-video studies," Fordan says. "The judges were broadcast journalism and video production industry professionals. It's nice that our entries impressed those who make a living in the field."

In the video competition, Justin Paulsen, from Woodinville, Wash., a 2006 graduate, took first and third place in the "News Package" category, second in the "News Segment" and "Comedy Segment" categories and third in the "Feature Package" category.

"I was pleased — but certainly not surprised — to see Justin do so well," Fordan says. "He's a very talented individual, and had job offers even before he had graduated."
Paulsen now works as a news producer for KHQ TV in Spokane, Wash.

Seniors Brandon Wasserburger, Gig Harbor, Wash., and Ryan Fudacz, Thorp, Wash., teamed up to take top honors in the "Feature Segment" category. Wasserburger also received a first place award in the "Comedy Segment" category and second in the "Documentary" category.

"Brandon's success can only fuel future works that will be award winners for him," Fordan adds. "Ryan's work keeps getting stronger and stronger and I look forward to seeing what he will produce between now and when he graduates next year. He's working on a double specialization in journalism print and broadcast."

2006 graduates Dwayne Washington, from Bremerton, Wash., who received degrees in both broadcast journalism and film and video studies, and Marty Eileen Maley, from Kennewick, Wash., collaborated to take first place in the "News Segment" category. Washington is now a video production assistant with the Veterans Administration in Portland, Ore.

Makayla Lee, senior, Bonney Lake, Wash., received the first place award in the "Public Affairs/Interview Program" category and Mike Fessler, senior, Yakima, Wash., took second in the "Music Video" category.

In the audio competition, 2006 psychology graduate John Lundeen, from Moses Lake, Wash., received first place awards in both the "Promos" and "Station Imaging" categories.

CWU's first place winners have been automatically entered into the national competition. Those winners will be announced at the national convention in Chicago, which takes place March 27 through April 1, 2007.

The National Broadcasting Society (NBS) is comprised of colleges and universities across the country offering broadcast, film and video, or mass media programs. CWU is in NBS Region 6, which encompasses schools from Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Central's NBS chapter was formed in 1992.

Previously, CWU received national first place awards in 2001 for best "Sports Feature" and for the top "Comedy Segment" in 2005.

Contact: Robert Fordan (509-963-1068/fax 509-963-1060/e-mail: fordanr@cwu.edu)