WGLS-FM wins two SPJ Regional Awards
WGLS-FM wins two SPJ Regional Awards
March 31, 2003
Rowan Radio, 89.7 WGLS-FM, the radio station at Rowan University, has won first place in the 2002 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Regional Mark of Excellence competition in the radio in-depth reporting category. The winning entry was the series production of “It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want To.”
Produced by WGLS-FM members as part of their requirements for the advanced radio course, “It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To” is a five-part series which examines popular party/club drugs such as Rohypnol, Ecstasy, Ketamine, GHB, LSD and methamphetamines as well as addresses the psychological, physical and legal consequences that result from the use and abuse of these drugs. The documentary previously won two Crystal Awards in the 2002 Communicator Awards competition and placed third in the National Headliners competition.
WGLS-FM also won an SPJ second place in the category Radio Sports Reporting for its program “Rowan Year End Sports Review.” WGLS-FM sports director Tom Ortuso, of Flemington, produced the show, which originally aired on WGLS-FM in December 2002.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ annual competition recognizes college radio, television and cable systems, photography and weekly newspapers, as well as magazines and newsletters. Region 1, in which Rowan competed, includes colleges from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want To” will now be judged against the winners from 11 other regions for a national Mark of Excellence Award to be announced later this year.
Produced by WGLS-FM members as part of their requirements for the advanced radio course, “It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To” is a five-part series which examines popular party/club drugs such as Rohypnol, Ecstasy, Ketamine, GHB, LSD and methamphetamines as well as addresses the psychological, physical and legal consequences that result from the use and abuse of these drugs. The documentary previously won two Crystal Awards in the 2002 Communicator Awards competition and placed third in the National Headliners competition.
WGLS-FM also won an SPJ second place in the category Radio Sports Reporting for its program “Rowan Year End Sports Review.” WGLS-FM sports director Tom Ortuso, of Flemington, produced the show, which originally aired on WGLS-FM in December 2002.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ annual competition recognizes college radio, television and cable systems, photography and weekly newspapers, as well as magazines and newsletters. Region 1, in which Rowan competed, includes colleges from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. “It’s My Party and I’ll Die if I Want To” will now be judged against the winners from 11 other regions for a national Mark of Excellence Award to be announced later this year.