Rowan Radio recognized for news coverage, enterprise reporting

Gloucester County Times - NJ.com, July 9, 2012

GLASSBORO — Rowan Radio’s programming has recently been honored by the New Jersey Broadcasters Association (NJBA) and the Philadelphia Press Association (PPA).

In the NJBA’s student division, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM news director Waldy Diez walked away with first-place honors for best news reporting.

Diez, a junior journalism and Spanish major from Hammonton, impressed the association with her coverage of the Tent State University event held at the university for “The Rowan Report” news program.

Three Rowan Radio programs were also recognized in the PPA’s annual media competition.

Studio 89.7, hosted by Philadelphia radio veteran and Rowan adjunct professor Paul Perrello, won first place in the “Radio Feature” category. The show featured an interview with Philadelphia broadcasting legend Jerry Blavat, according to campus spokeswoman Barbara Baals.

The show has received five PPA awards to date. It has also been recognized by the Communicator Awards, the Garden State Journalists Association, the Hermes Awards and the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists.

In the “Enterprise Reporting” category, “Smoking: Unfiltered,” a 30-minute documentary, took second place. The segment, produced by Christina Maxwell and Philip Blandino, examines how nicotine addiction impacts college students. A Sicklerville resident, Maxwell earned her bachelor’s degree in radio/television/film (RTF) from Rowan last year. Bridgeton resident Blandino earned his RTF degree in May.

Also in the “Enterprise Reporting” category, “African American Profile,” a half-hour talk show on WGLS-FM, received an honorable mention for a show that featured an interview with former NFL player Anthony “Bubba” Green. Host Omarey Williams, a Rowan alumnus, spoke with Green, who played with the Baltimore Colts, about his work as a youth coach and mentor.

WGLS-FM has won 213 national and regional awards since 1993.