Broadcasters meet the future at Student Seminar

“It was a great seminar and helpful information.”

“I had a very eye opening experience and learned there are a lot of opportunities.”

“I enjoyed the variety of sessions.”
“I have been inspired.”

“The seminar was overall very beneficial.”

Those were just a few of the comments from more than 140 students who attended the 2020 WBA Student Seminar on March 7 at the Madison Marriott.

Another successful event can be attributed to the hard work of the WBA Education Committee in putting together an outstanding program, which featured, director, voice actor, film producer, and screenwriter, Phil Johnston. Phil was unable to appear in person. He presented a very interesting keynote via the internet.

I have the pleasure of being the chair of this active and hard working group of educators and commercial broadcast professionals. Another contribution to the seminar’s success is financial support from the WBA and the WBA Foundation. 

Students chose to attend three of nine panels in the morning. Topics included: Campus Radio and TV Stations, Individual Feedback, Women in Broadcasting, Live Reporting for News and Sports – Advancing the Story and Understanding the Technology, Expanding The Reach Of Your Newscast or Radio Show, Marketing and Money, Podcasting,  and Hiring managers ….What They Actually Want To See From You.

At noon, students participated in a session titled Putting Together a Resume or Speed Networking, which was patterned after the speed dating concept. Thirty-two broadcast professionals met individually in six minute intervals with students who could ask questions about any topic.

The afternoon luncheon concluded the seminar and was highlighted by Phil’s outstanding keynote address, the presentation of the WBA Foundation Scholarships to four recipients, and the 17th annual Student Awards for Excellence, which had 219 entries in 27 categories. View the list of winners here. Students from Union Grove, DePere, Lakeland Union, Minocqua, and Bay Port, Green Bay won awards in the third year of the high school competition. Future broadcasters from UW-Madison, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Whitewater, La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Marquette took home honors in the college competition. In addition, this year’s Leadership Award was presented to Andrew Haese from the UW-Oshkosh. The award is given to a broadcasting or broadcast journalism student of junior standing or above who attends a Wisconsin college or university and who has most noticeably developed and exercised effective and creative skills in leadership.

Thanks to our many sponsors and the panel moderators: Nancy Stillwell, Madison College, Brian Lucas, UW-Whitewater, and Pat Hastings, UW-Madison.

On behalf of the Education Committee, I would also like to thank Linda, Kyle, Michelle, and Liz for helping to ensure the seminar’s success.   

We look forward to March 6, 2021 and another outstanding student seminar!

-Ken Beno, Chair, WBA Education Committee

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR MAKING THE WBA’S 2020 STUDENT SEMINAR A SUCCESS…

Ken Beno, Chair Education Committee
Phil Johnston
David Sanks
Michelle Vetterkind, President and CEO WBA and WBA Foundation

Speed Networkers, Speakers, and Moderators

Erik Bilstad, Good Karma Brands
Dave Black, WSUM
Evans Chronis, Good Karma Brands
Jared Clark, Mid-West Family
Herb Cody, QueenB Radio
Cutter, Woodward Radio
Randall Davidson, UW-Oshkosh
Sean Dwyer, WXOW TV
Dave Edwards, Dave Edwards Media
Brittney Ermon, WMTV-TV
Aleese Fielder, NRG Media
Sarah Gray, Morgan Murphy Media
Pat Hastings, UW-Madison
Andrew Haese, UW-Oshkosh
Shar Hermanson, Mid-West Family
Bill Hubbard
Nate Imig, Radio Milwaukee
Dayton Kane, Cumulus Radio Station Group
Kaytie Kelly, Woodward Radio
Mike Kemmeter, Woodward Radio Group
JT Koser, Koser Radio Group
Jessica Laszewski, WMTV-TV
David Lee III, WFRV-TV
Brian Lucas, UW-Whitewater
Luis Montoto, La Movida Radio
Lupita Montoto, La Movida Radio
Anne Paape, WKBT-TV
Patrick Pendergast, Milwaukee Radio Alliance
Kenny Perez, Radio Milwaukee
Gene Purcell, PBS Wisconsin/WPR
Ed Reams, WKOW-TV
Andy Riggs, Entercom Milwaukee
Joshua Rose, WFRV-TV
John Rowe, Cumulus Radio Station Group
Kevin Ruppert, WISC-TV
Greg Scalzo, Good Karma Brands
Chris Shofner, UW-Stevens Point
Michael Spaulding, Good Karma Brands
Nancy Stillwell, Madison College
Chuck Steinmetz, WITI-TV
Heather Storm, Woodward Radio
Colleen Valkoun, iHeartMedia
Don Vesely, WMTV-TV

WBA Education Committee
Ken Beno, Committee Chair
Dave Black, WSUM Radio
Randall Davidson, UW-Oshkosh
Sandy Ellis, UW-River Falls
Pat Hastings, UW-Madison
Terry Havel, UW-Parkside
Erik Johnson, UW-River Falls
Jack Kapfer, UW-Eau Claire
Brian Lucas, UW-Whitewater
Dean Maytag, WBA Foundation Committee
Jim Mead, UW-Whitewater
Mike O’Brien, WCLO/WJVL
Amy Pflugshaupt, WMTV-TV
Mike Schmitt, UW-Green Bay
Chris Shofner, UW-Stevens Point
Dr. Robert Snyder, UW-Platteville
Nancy Stillwell, Madison Media Institute
Justine Stokes, UW-Oshkosh
Don Vesely, WMTV-TV

Sponsors
Big Radio
Entercom Madison
Good Karma Brands
Heartland Communications
Hometown Broadcasting
iHeartMedia
Koser Radio Group
Magnum Media
Mid-West Family Broadcasting
Midwest Communications
Milwaukee Radio Alliance
Morgan Murphy Media
NRG Media
Quincy Media
Radio Plus
WBAY-TV
WDJT-TV
WISN-TV
WITI-TV
WLAX-TV/WEUX-TV
WMTV-TV
WSAW-TV
WTMJ-TV

Special Thanks
American Awards & Promotions
Linda Baun, WBA Vice President
Liz Boyd, WBA NCSA/PEP Coordinator
Kyle Geissler, Director of Operations and Public Affairs
Madison Marriott West Hotel Staff
Greg Powers, Lake Land College
Joe Thomas
John McDonald, Studio Gear
Student award judges in Illinois

Congratulations to all educators, leadership award recipient, student award winners, and scholarship recipients

AND TO THE STUDENTS OF WISCONSIN FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE STUDENT SEMINAR!