Hillsdale College Radio Station Wins Top Honors at Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards

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HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College’s radio station WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM received top honors at the 2023 Michigan Student Broadcast Awards, hosted by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters on March 15. The station was named the “2023 College Audio Station of the Year” and received nine individual awards.

“Our student broadcasters and journalists are committed to producing high-quality content that keeps listeners engaged,” said Scot Bertram, general manager of WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale. “We’re honored to have that work recognized by such a prestigious organization.”

The individual awards are as follows:

• First Place Current Events Story — “The Policy Corner: Michigan Affordable Housing and Property Taxes” | Josh Barker (‘23)
• First Place Daily Newscast/News Feature — “Collegian Week in Review” | Megan Pidcock (‘25), Lauren Scott (‘24), and Maddy Welsh (‘24)
• First Place On-Air Personality or Team — “Five Minute Myths” | Elena Lanning, née Naborowski (‘22)
• Second Place Daily Newscast/News Feature — “Lauren Smyth News” | Lauren Smyth (‘25)
• Second Place Promotional Announcement — “Election 2022” | Josh Barker (‘23) and Garrett Goolsby (‘24)
• Second Place Talk Show — “Wellness Weekly” | Rachel Kookogey (‘22)
• Third Place Daily Newscast/News Feature — “Sports Story Time: The Missing Canada Cup” | Rachel Kookogey (‘22)
• Third Place On-Air Personality or Team — “Grammar Minute” | Lauryn Smyth (‘25)
• Third Place Promotional Announcement — “Election Night Coverage” | Josh Barker (‘23) and Garrett Goolsby (‘24)

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. In February, Bertram was recognized as Best Faculty Advisor, and Naborowski won first place for Most Creative/Innovative Show.

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 more information about WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM, click here.

For a high-resolution copy of the Hillsdale College clocktower logo, click here.