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Illini Media June 2013
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Daily Illini Newsroom Gets Top Award at ICPA
The Daily Illini received the General Excellence award at February's Illinois College Press Association
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(L-R) Jeff Kirshman, Taylor Goldenstein, Kevin Dollear, Hannah Meisel, Bryan Lorenz, Sammie Kiesel, Danny Wicentowski, Shannon Lancor, Nathaniel Lash and Michael Mioux
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conference in Chicago.
Sammy Kiesel, 2012-13 editor in chief, was present with a large group of Daily Illini newsroom students to accept the award. In all, The Daily Illini brought home 26 awards in the contest, including first place honors for graphic illustration, in-house promotional ad, feature story, sports news story and sports page design.
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Kelly Ferry, Aubrey Morse and Wil Meister
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WPGU Wins Three Silver Dome Awards
At the Illinois Broadcasters Association annual convention June 19, WPGU staffers won in three categories, competing against non-student commercial stations.
WPGU winners are:
* First place for Small Market Radio, Best Radio PSA for Local Charity/Cause for Operation Santa; credit - Aubrey Morse.
* Second place for Small Market Radio, Best Radio Personality - Kelly Ferry.
* Third place for Small Market Radio, Best Radio Station Self-promotion for Sand Volleyball Summer Showdown; credit Wil Meister.
Current WPGU program director Curtis Wagner attended the IBA convention and awards ceremony with the WPGU nominees. To see a list of all award finalists, visit http://www.ilba.org/awards
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Illini Media Makes A Move
As part of its effort to gain stronger financial footing, Illini Media made a significant change at the end  of May. Illini Media sold its four story building at 512 E. Green St. in Champaign to a Campustown commercial property owner. In the process, all operations for Illini Media were consolidated to the third floor of the building where IMC is now a tenant.
"We were so fortunate to be able to build, with our alumni's help, this wonderful facility and operate in it since 2006," said publisher and general manager Lil Levant. "The things that make it so ideal for our operation are still available to us-its visibility in Campustown, its convenience to our student workers, its open design, and more."
While bringing all units and departments on one floor has been challenging, employees and departments work more cooperatively and share resources more easily.
The WPGU studio has yet to move to the third floor, but that should be accomplished within the next month. The Illini Tech Center's Apple campus store, a wholly owned subsidiary of IMC, was closed in mid-May.
Financially, the sale has eliminated the debt associated with the mortgage of the building, as well as the burden of upkeep. IMC's FY13-14 operating budget, that begins August 1, will reflect IMC's need to pay down remaining debt, and to develop robust digital content and products. Many of our fundraising initiatives will be purposed to build a sustainable source of reserves for future generations as media continues to grow and change.
"Selling the building was a difficult step to take because of the commitments it took from so many to build it," said Lil. "But we did it knowing that what is important is the work and opportunity we offer students, and for Illini Media to adapt to remain a leader in college media." |
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Alum Orchestrates Donation of New Studio Equipment
WPGU's well-worn sound board and studio equipment is getting an upgrade thanks to WPGU alum Ben Ponzio.
Shortly after a visit in February by a group of WPGU students and the Billy Goat reunion in Chicago, Ben asked his company, CBS Radio, whether they could help WPGU with an equipment donation. They said yes!
The equipment includes a much newer vintage soundboard and furniture. It is being re-assembled now as WPGU moves its studios to the third floor of the IMC building.
Ben is general sales manager of WBBM-FM in Chicago. Thanks for going the extra mile for WPGU, Ben!
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Roger Ebert - True Friend to Illini Media
With the passing of Roger Ebert, we indeed feel an "absence of presence" in the Illini Media family. 
To the world, Roger Ebert was an icon in the realm of movie criticism. To Illini Media, Roger was a different kind of icon. For decades, we've pointed to Roger as a blue ribbon example of the kind of talent Illini Media has a hand in developing. The implication for our student employees is that Illini Media is an ingredient of a demonstrated recipe of success.
In the years since Roger left The Daily Illini, we were lucky to maintain a relationship with him. Roger was truly fond of his hometown, his University and his college newspaper training ground. He occasionally visited The Daily Illini, advised our editors and spoke at college press conferences, but more importantly he was Illini Media's champion.
When he began the Roger Ebert Film Festival in Champaign in 1999, Roger requested that The DI have the opportunity to edit and produce the annual festival program-a publishing and financial plum. He was one of Illini Media's inaugural Hall of Fame inductees. More recently, he lent his name and clout in fundraising efforts to sustain Illini Media. In these and many other ways, we always knew Roger was in Illini Media's corner.
Roger Ebert was many things, and since his passing, many superlatives have been used to describe him. But Illini Media knew him in a way most of the world didn't. Those of us who worked at Illini Media can say he was truly one of us. And, perhaps, Roger would be proud of that.
Interested in viewing The DI's coverage of Roger Ebert's passing? Click here.
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Ebert Legacy Campaign
Even before Roger's death, the Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation had agreed to combine forces with Illini Media in a fundraising campaign. 
This spring, the Ebert Foundation pledged a $10,000 matching grant to benefit Illini Media. For every dollar Illini Media raises during this campaign, the foundation will match it.
Now through September, Illini Media is asking our alumni and friends to contribute to this new initiative that will greatly benefit Illini Media. You may be receiving a phone call, an email or a letter requesting your contribution, which will be used to improve technology or to enhance the student experience at Illini Media.
Should you wish to donate today, please visit illinimedia.org to make your donation through PayPal or Google Checkout. Or mail your check to Illini Media, 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL, 61820. Help us reach the $10,000 goal! |
IMC Award Recipients for 2013
Each year at the end of the spring semester, Illini Media presents a few awards to a few student employees who have distinguished themselves through their work and dedication.
This year's awards and their recipients are:
Clamage Award - In recognition of being the staff member who contributed the most to the
progress and quality of The Daily Illini during the past year - Kevin Dollear
Trebilcock Award - In recognition of the Best Piece of Investigative Reporting
by a member of The Daily Illini staff during the past year - Lauren Rohr
Ponczak Award - In recognition of being the member of The Daily Illini sports staff who has contributed the most to teamwork, the spirit of friendship, and an unabashed love of sports and fun,
as well as quality in reporting sports at the paper during the past year - Jeff Kirshman
Cohen Award - In recognition of being the member of the business staff who made the greatest
contribution to the betterment of The Daily Illini during the past year - Kate Russell
Thomas Award - In recognition of being the member of the WPGU-FM 107.1 staff who has made the greatest contribution to the quality and the betterment of the radio station during the past year - Wil Meister and Shaun Dolan
Congratulations and thank you for all you have done!
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Awesome Employees = Awesome Opportunities
Have you ever noticed that Illini Media student employees get really cool and impressive jobs and internships? Below are just some of the Illini Media staffers who may have begun working or interning near you!
- Erin Maturo, an intern with 103.5 Kiss FM in Chicago as a DJ.
- Jordan "J.J." Wilson, working as a part-time writer for the Peoria Journal Star.
- Courtney Yuen, a News Intern for WICD ABC 15.
- Sean Neumann, an intern for Polyvinyl Record Company in Champaign
- Alex Sheridan, working as a Materials Engineer for Rolls- Royce in Indianapolis.
- Emily Thornton, a Morning News intern at WXRT Chicago.
- Alex Ortiz, interning for both The Times Weekly Newspaper and Romeoville Public Television.
- Jamal Collier, interning with MLB.com: San Diego Padres as an Associate Reporter.
- Nathaniel Lash, is participating in a Google Journalism Fellowship in Berkeley, CA.
- John Buysse, interning with GSD&M as a Strategic Planner in Austin, Texas.
- Ethan Asofsky, working for MLB. com Cubs and White Sox as an Associate Reporter.
- Emily Bans, interning with Weber Shandwick in Corporate Affairs
- Maggie Huynh, a newsroom intern for WBBM Newsradio (CBS).
- Candice Norwood, a summer intern for Newsday in New York.
- Emma Weissmann, summer Editorial Intern at Travel Weekly Magazine.
- Reema Abi-Akar, summer Reporting Intern at Peoria Magazine.
- Hannah Meisel, Social Media Desk Intern for NPR in Washington D.C.
- Andrea Baumgartner, working with Good Housekeeping Magazine in NYC.
- Alison Marcotte, Editorial Intern for Real Simple Magazine at Time Inc.
- Kelly Morissy, working as an Accountant at Pasquest Sheppard LLC in Lake Forest, IL
- Kristen Keller, Editorial Intern at Today's Chicago Woman Magazine.
- Kelly Ferry, working as an On-Air Personality for D102.
- Sean Rowader, Customer Care/Retention Intern for the Bulls/White Sox Training Academy.
- Hudson Vantrease, Junior Industrial Designer for Procter & Gamble in Boston, MA.
- Monica Detter, HR/recruiting intern for Camping World, Lincolnshire, IL
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Century Club
Thank you, alumni and friends, for your financial contributions.
The list of names of people who have donated has grown too long to include in our newsletter. Find the list of contributors to our Century Club on the Illini Media Alumni Club page, or click here to go directly to the list.
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Hey, find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and don't forget to update your record on or join our Alumni Club!  
Illini Media * 512 E. Green St., Champaign, IL 61820 * 217-337-8300 * [email protected]
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