Hillsdale College Radio Station Wins Top Awards at Michigan Association of Broadcaster Awards
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College’s radio station WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM received top honors at the 2024 Michigan Student Broadcast Awards, hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters on March 18. The station received 12 individual awards and was named “2024 College Audio Station of Year.” This is the second consecutive year and third time since 2019 that WRFH has received that title.
“I think the success of our students and station comes down to two things: effort and education,” said Scot Bertram, general manager at WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale. “These students spend hours each week in the studio prepping, recording, and polishing their content. They understand audio content and journalism, but — more importantly — they spend countless hours studying literature, history, philosophy, the sciences, and mathematics. They have real knowledge and insight, and they know how to turn it into high-quality content.”
- First Place Current Events Story –– “The Policy Corner: Michigan Tax Reform,” Josh Barker (’23)
- First Place Daily Newscast/News Feature –– “Spotlight on PFAS,” Thérèse Boudreaux (’24)
- First Place Editorial –– “Gavin Listro Editorial,” Gavin Listro (’25)
- First Place Music Feature or Special –– “The Timbrel and the Lyre,” Gwen Thompson (’25)
- First Place Promotional Announcement –– “Wall Street Weekly Promo,” George Accola (’25), Patrick Scott (’26), and Joe Colaizzi (’25)
- First Place Sports Feature –– “Hillsdale Football’s New Head Coach,” Evan Mick (’26)
- Second Place Current Events Story –– “Israel War Special Report,” Abigail Snyder (’24)
- Second Place Editorial –– “Abigail Snyder Editorial,” Abigail Snyder (’24)
- Second Place On-Air Personality or Team –– Lauren Smyth (’25)
- Second Place Sports Feature –– “The Life of a Kicker,” Evan Mick (’26)
- Third Place Current Events Story –– “The Policy Corner: Right to Work Repeal,” Josh Barker (’23)
- Third Place Daily Newscast/News Feature –– “Lauren Smyth News,” Lauren Smyth (’25)
WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM is Hillsdale College’s student-run radio station, where students report, produce, and host a variety of news and talk programs. The Michigan Association of Broadcasters awards come shortly after WRFH earned national honors from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards. Earlier in March, Thérèse Boudreaux (’24) won Best Documentary for “PFAS: Forever Chemicals.”
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters hosts the Michigan Student Broadcast Awards each year to recognize the best work in television and radio from college stations across the state of Michigan.
For headshots and photos of the students, click here. For more information about WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM, click here.