Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM wins three SPJ Awards

Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM won three awards at the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Greater Philadelphia Chapter awards competition.

The awards celebrate the best in local radio, newspapers and television.

“Your Health Matters” received first place in the competition’s Report/Health Science category. The award-winning entry featured an interview with Dr. Barry Sears, the creator of the Zone Diet, about various topics, including the diet’s scope and why people struggle with the power of food.

Hosted by Mullica Hill family physician Dr. Craig Wax, “Your Health Matters” focuses on a variety of medical issues with local and national experts. It airs Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

WGLS-FM earned second place recognition in the Radio Documentary category for “Smoking: Unfiltered,” a 30-minute documentary about the impact of nicotine addiction on college students.

The segment was produced by 2011 Radio/Television/Film graduates Christina Maxwell of Sicklerville and Philip Blandino of Bridgeton.

It is the fifth award for “Smoking: Unfiltered.” The segment also was recognized by the Philadelphia Press Association, the Garden State Journalists Association, the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists and College Broadcasters, Inc.

The documentary was made in conjunction with WGLS-FM Assistant Station Manager Derek Jones’ Radio Production class.

WGLS-FM won third place in the Talk Show Interview category with a show hosted by Rowan University adjunct instructor and radio veteran Paul Perrello. The entry featured an interview with Philadelphia radio legend Jerry Blavat. The pair discussed Blavat’s rise to fame.

This marks the sixth award won by WGLS-FM for the Perrello/Blavat program. The Communicator Awards, Garden State Journalists Association, Hermes Awards, New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists, and Philadelphia Press Association previously recognized the show.

WGLS-FM has won 219 national and regional awards since 1993.