ISABELLA INZINNA
Staff Writer
Fredonia Radio Systems (FRS), SUNY Fredonia’s student-run radio station, is now nationally recognized following the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Conference.
During the first weekend in March, FRS attended the conference, which consisted of panels with successful broadcasters. The first day consisted of six sessions, each session having multiple conference options to learn about different aspects of radio and broadcast journalism.
There were some notable speakers that day, such as Kristin Thorne of WABC-TV and John Santucci of ABC News.
The second day of conferences continued with panels, but ended with one event everyone was looking forward to: the awards ceremony.
Fredonia Radio Systems was up for the following awards:
Best Live Music Broadcast- Rockin’ the Commons 2023, Brian Valencia & FRS
Most Creative/Innovative Show- Lovercall: Gay Culture at Fredonia, Lovercall Crew
Best Comedy Program- Just the Facts, Hunter Halterman, Chloe Kowalyk & Alex Erwin
Best Sports Update- News at Noon Sports Update, Matt Volz & Lee Pye
Best News Interview- Graduate School Fair Interview, Chloe Kowalyk
Best Liner/Sweeper- Veggietales Liner, Alex Erwin & Natalie Wilks
Best Station ID- WCVF Community ID, Hunter Halterman
Best Business Director, Radio- Dan Granados
With eight nominations, FRS members were hopeful that they’d be able to bring at least one trophy home.
FRS’ General Manager Hunter Halterman, a senior double majoring in audio radio production and video production, agreed with this sentiment.
He said, “I was very hopeful. I knew we would win something, but I didn’t know what they would be.”
FRS took home not one, not two, but three trophies.
The late-night show Lovercall won for the most creative/innovative show.
Lovercall is an anonymous advice show that explores the culture around college dating and relationships.
The winning episode was titled “Gay Culture at Fredonia,” and featured students describing their experiences in the LGBTQ community at Fredonia.
In addition, a Veggietales liner won the best liner/sweeper trophy.
This radio promotion was a spin off of the children’s show “Veggietales,” and included two staff members singing along to the theme song encouraging people to listen to WCVF 88.9.
Finally, Dan Granados, FRS business manager, won best business director in radio.
There was a lot of anxiety and excitement leading up to the awards being announced.
Halterman said, “Leading up to Lovercall’s win, I was biting my nails, heart beating fast.”
For best liner/sweeper, alumnus Alex Erwin was surprised that his work won.
Erwin said, “Something that could break the norms of what radio is and something that goes in a creative direction won an award…that’s crazy to me.”
He continued to describe that this liner was very creative; it tends to make those listening laugh.
Erwin explained the contrast that this liner has compared to the typical winners of this award.
“Usually the liners and sweepers that win these awards are more professional-sounding,” he said.
However surprising this win was, Erwin mentioned that it showcases some of the best parts of public and college radio.
He said, “Fredonia is such an amazing place to explore creativity that you won’t be able to find in the real world.” He acknowledged how special it is to have this creative freedom in college when commercial radio allows for much less creativity.
The final trophy of the night was more about one person than the collective station.
Winning Best Business Manager for radio in the nation was a massive honor for Dan Granados.
Granados said, “I was both in shock and relieved that all the work we’ve been doing at the station was recognized at such a level.”
However, Granados doesn’t feel as though he’s the only one being awarded this honor. Granados said, “We all kind of won in a sense,” acknowledging that he wouldn’t have won the award without those who supported him.
He said that everyone who helped him get to this point is also deserving of the award.
Granados also hopes that the awards can prove the importance of college radio.
Overall, it was a successful weekend for Fredonia Radio Systems.
Aside from winning three awards, the group got the chance to explore New York City, seeing popular tourist spots such as Times Square.
This was not a bad way to celebrate taking home three trophies.
Isabella Inzinna, the writer of this article, attended the trip to IBS with FRS as a member of FRS staff.