Flemington resident named finalist in 2013 Student Production Awards

Hunterdon County Democrat, October 3, 2013

GLASSBORO -- Rowan University student productions have been named national finalists in the 2013 Student Production Awards Competition presented by College Broadcasters Incorporated (CBI).

CBI, an organization representing students in radio, television, film and other forms of various media, has recognized excellence in three Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM productions and two Rowan Television Network (RTN) productions.

Winners of the 2013 CBI Student Production Awards will be announced on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the organization’s annual convention in San Antonio.

WGLS-FM holds nominations in the categories of “Best DJ,” “Best Documentary” for radio and “Best Regularly Scheduled Program” for radio.

Allie Volpe is nominated in the “Best DJ” category as former host of “The Indie Fix,” a program showcasing independent rock music. This CBI nomination for “The Indie Fix” marks the third for the Sewell resident who graduated in May with dual degrees in radio/television/film (RTF) and journalism.

Volpe holds a nomination in another category, “Best Documentary,” along with co-creators Joe Mineo, an RTF graduate from Sewell, and Robert Zettlemoyer, a junior accounting major from Mt. Ephraim. The documentary, “Heroin High” is a 30-minute program depicting the rise of drug culture in South Jersey high schools. Produced in conjunction with WGLS Interim Station Manager Derek Jones’ Radio Production class, “Heroin High” has previously received praise from The Communicator Awards, The Philadelphia Press Association and The Garden State Journalists Association.

Former WGLS-FM Public Affairs Director, Matt Kazin has earned recognition for “Saturday Night at the Oldies” in the “Best Regularly Scheduled Program” category. Kazin, a senior journalism major from Lawrenceville, introduced the Rowan community to the talents of Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Otis Day of Otis Day & The Knights and Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits through extensive and enthralling interviews on the program.

In CBI’s category of “Best Comedy” for television, RTN’s productions “Rowan 911!” and “The Wordsman Show” are nominated for their episodes. “Rowan 911!” is nominated for the episode “The Interviews” and “The Wordsman Show” is nominated for the episode “A Party Brad Christmas.”

“Rowan 911!” was produced by RTF majors Josh Hersch and Joe Ponisi, who are both juniors. Josh Hersch, a Flemington native is currently RTN’s technical manager, while Joe Ponisi, of Holmdel, currently serves as the club’s media manager. Hersch also directed the episode.

RTN’s other finalist, “The Wordsman Show” was produced by RTF graduates Pat M. Harris of Pompton Plains and Scott Wordsman of Rockaway. Harris, the episode’s director, was also the club’s acting president for the 2012-2013 school year.