Benjamin Kelly, a senior at Goshen College, won the first Spectrum Award in the college’s history. Kelly was also a finalist in the category for Best Sports Reporting. (Photo courtesy of the Indiana Broadcasting Association)

The Goshen College Communication Department’s award shelf keeps getting fuller as broadcasting and journalism students recently received top prizes in several state and national competitions.

Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Award

In November, staff from Goshen’s on campus radio station, 91.1 The Globe (WGCS), attended the 25th Annual Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet in Indianapolis, which honors the best in Indiana broadcasting. Senior broadcasting major Benjamin Kelly, from Lagrange, Ind., came away with the first Spectrum Award a Goshen College student has won. He received the award in the category of Best Documentary for his “Leaf Legends” piece profiling the volunteer work of professor emeritus, John Ingold. In addition, Kelly was a finalist in the category for Best Sportscast.

“This is especially gratifying for WGCS as only one other non-commercial radio station was honored at the award ceremony,” said Jason Samuel, the station’s general manager.

First place in College Broadcasters Incorporated’s national production awards
As well, the College Broadcasters Incorporated held its national conference in Atlanta in October and Goshen College received four national production awards nominations:

• Best Radio DJ and Best News Reporting: Senior Kelsey Morris, a broadcasting major from Goshen;
• Best Sports Reporting: Kelly and senior Ian Shelly, a broadcasting major from Marcellus, Mich.;
• Best Newscast: sophomore Danielle Kerschhackl, a broadcasting major from Elmwood Park, Ill.

Kelly and Shelly won the award for Best Sports Reporting for their “Maple Leaf Sports Report.”

Hoosier State Press Association

The Hoosier State Press Association awarded senior Bojana Jankova, a public relations major from Macedonia, a second place for best feature writing among collegiate journalists in 2012.

The award was announced at the Hoosier State Press Association’s awards luncheon in Indianapolis on Dec. 1. Jankova’s award came for a feature story published in The Goshen College Record last spring: “Undocumented immigrant shares her story on stage.”

The annual Hoosier State Press Association contest invites entrants from all colleges and universities across the state, who compete for three places in five categories. Other winning entrants came from Ball State University, DePauw University, Indiana University, Purdue University, Taylor University and the University of Indianapolis.

Goshen College’s FiveCore Media General Manager Kyle Hufford (right) works with freshman Benjie Aguilera Brown (left), a communication and theater double major from Asuncion, Paraguay, to prepare for a video shoot.
(Photo by Kate Yoder/Goshen College FiveCore Media)

FiveCore Media, a local video production company comprised of Goshen College communication students under the leadership of general manager Kyle Hufford, has shot, edited and produced over 20 videos in their first year of business. From a documentary of a Grammy nominated choir to medical promotional films, these young professionals have built up an impressive portfolio since opening for business in September 2011.

FiveCore Media offers an array of services including promotional and instructional videos, event coverage, motion graphics and script writing. Some of the company’s clients include Mennonite Church USA, Radiation Oncology Resources and WGCS The Globe. Though FiveCore has worked with many outside organizations, some of the company’s first clients were academic departments at Goshen College including business, American Sign Language and Latino studies.

“FiveCore Media is uniquely positioned to not only educate Goshen College communication students but also provide a much needed service to a community of small entrepreneurial businesses,” said General Manager Kyle Hufford.

FiveCore is an outgrowth of the college’s successful communication department. This past year, Goshen College was named both Television and Radio School of the Year in Indiana, the first time that any school has won both awards in the same year. Hufford is excited and confident in the work that these students are producing.

“I have worked with college students most of my career so I know the kind of talent they have. What they lack in experience they make up for in enthusiasm and an open mind to learn. These are powerful skills that come in handy with creative work.”

The students are equally as excited about their work. “This business has really provided us, as students, with an opportunity to work within our desired field and in return we give our clients professionally produced videos at a competitive price,” said Summer Hasan, a graduated senior. “We have a great group of creative minds and we have a lot of fun working together.”

As the second year of work begins, FiveCore is eager to meet with interested clients and get a start on new projects. “We have already met so many great people in the area, and as a new Chamber member, we are looking forward to working with the strong local business owners here in Goshen,” said Hufford.

To see some of FiveCore’s work, visit their website.