USI Communication and Media students win three BEA Awards

Three students and one alum from the University of Southern Indiana’s Communication and Media Program received Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts Awards in February. USI had winners in two areas. All students are a part of 95.7 The Spin, USI’s student-run radio station.  

Isaac Heldt, Radio and Television major, won third place in the PSA, Promo or Commercial category for a promo of the Evansville Wartime Museum: Thunderbolt broadcast on 95.7 The Spin. Dawson Cochran, Radio and Television major, and Rebecca Lanham, 2024 PR and Advertising alumna, won the Award of Excellence in the same category for their VHS Cuddlegrams broadcast on 95.7 The Spin. 

Payton Buse, Radio and Television minor, tied for third place in the Audio/Video Sports Event: Play by Play Talent category for the USI Women at Louisville broadcast.  

“I am proud of these students as they continue the long line of award winners at USI, and more specifically, 95.7 The Spin,” says John Morris, Instructor in Radio and Television. “It is very hard to win an award in the BEA Festival of Media Arts. This year, there were 2,285 entries from over 300 schools. That means that these students went up against some very strong competition, including some of the best-known schools in America.” 

BEA is one of many organizations that award college students and student-run radio stations for their work. The Spring Semester is award season for many universities, so Morris is hopeful more awards could be seen soon.  

Learn more about USI’s award-winning Communication and Media Department online.