SUNY Plattsburgh Students Win National Honors for Audio/Video Productions

PLATTSBURGH, NY (April 2, 2010)-- SUNY Plattsburgh students cleaned up at this year's Region One National Broadcasting Society Conference.

They won 20 out of the 34 awards offered for video and audio work – more than any other college – and they competed against colleges from 11 states.

But they didn't stop there.

Three SUNY Plattsburgh students went on to win first-place awards at the national NBS convention. One of the three had a second project make it to the finals, and an additional student made the finals in three separate divisions. In fact, SUNY Plattsburgh's chapter did so well it was voted most improved in the nation.

Sean McCluskey, a senior communications major and finalist in three divisions, never expected that his work would make it so far.

McCluskey said winning at the regional level was great, "but to make it to the national convention, that's completely different. You're competing against the rest of the 50 states."

Assistant Professor of Communication Christine Johnson was less surprised.

"Our facilities are wonderful, and the students are extremely talented," said Johnson "They really have very creative minds."

Johnson said faculty worked hard to push students to take a risk and submit work.

"I think that's why we won so many awards because people took a chance," she said.

"Obviously, I am very proud of all the students," said Peter Ensel, chair of the communication department and co-director of the Center for Communication and Journalism. "These awards prove to our students they are as talented as those studying at any other communication program in the country."

The first-place winners at the national convention:

   * Audio Promotion: "NBS Can Drive Promo," Missy Repola. (Listen to the audio file at http://bit.ly/NBS_Honors.)
   * Comedy Script: "MATCHCUT," Felicia Cavallaro and Jovie Castillo.

Other SUNY Plattsburgh projects making it to the finals:

   * Audio Public Affairs/Interview Program: "Cell Phone Use While Driving," Sean McCluskey.
   * Audio Station Imaging: "WARP," Missy Repola.
   * Video Sports Program: "Cardinal Hockey Pregame Show," Sean McCluskey.
   * Sports Play-by-Play Programming: "Cardinal Hockey Play by Play," Sean McCluskey.