Three Muskingum University alumni and one current student’s work was recently awarded as one of the top four best video documentaries in the country by College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI).
May 2017 alumni Aaron Eno, Chris Morgan, and Marty Kurtz, along with Senior Andrew Dunlap were recognized with the fourth-best documentary for their Spring 2017 Media Production seminar project, “John Glenn: American Hero.”
The group said they were honored to be named one of the finalists in the CBI National Student Production Awards documentary/public affairs category.
“Just to be named a CBI finalist is an honor in itself, especially for a smaller school like Muskingum,” said Morgan.
The award was presented during CBI’s annual National Student Electronic Media Convention (NSEMC) in San Antonio Nov. 2-4.
Ten Orbit Media members attended the CBI National Student Electronic Media Convention Nov. 2-4. Pictured at the awards ceremony are Logan Weaver, Marty Kurtz, Dr. Lisa Marshall, Andrew Dunlap, Rachel Schlarb, Aaron Eno, Chad Holmes, Brie Rhoades, Zach Vinski, and Jonnie Neuhart.
Dunlap said once the group was notified in August they were a finalist for the award, he had his sights set on getting to Texas. This was Dunlap’s second trip to the National Student Media Convention.
Kurtz said the national recognition for the project was a big honor for the group and Muskingum University.
Eno said he was happy with how the overall project came together and was proud of the group’s accomplishments. He is appreciative of the video access the group obtained while visiting the Smithsonian National and Air Space Museum, NASA Glenn Research Center, Ohio State University Archives, and the Harry Clever Field in New Philadelphia where Glenn did flying training.
Associate Professor of Communication, Dr. Lisa Marshall, said she was very impressed as their co-advisor with how well the group came together for the project.
“Every day the students were working on it, and every night they were working on it,” said Marshall. “They wanted to make the project the best it could be.” Marshall said for the students to be recognized for their dedication to the project to honor the late Sen. John H. Glenn makes the award that much more special.
Co-advisor Dr. Jeff Harman, now retired Professor of Communication, said the National Student Production Awards bestow an annual opportunity to improve the media program at Muskingum. “The CBI Awards provide incentive for the student producers to do their best work and see how their efforts compare to other schools from around the nation. What a great opportunity,” said Harman.
The Media Production Senior Seminar team at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in March 2017 with Space Shuttle Discovery. Eno, Kurtz, Dunlap, Morgan, and Marshall are pictured with Public Affairs Specialist Nicholas Partridge.
Eno said he is appreciative of Marshall and Harman, both serving as the group’s advisors.
“It was great having them guide us on the project,” said Eno.
The group’s full project can be viewed at The John & Annie Glenn Museum located on Main Street in New Concord between May and October. The video is the first thing visitors see before touring Glenn’s boyhood home. Watch the trailer to the documentary.
The winning documentary was from Pittsburg State University. Ten Orbit Media members attended the San Antonio convention, representing one of 85 schools across the United States. The next National Student Electronic Media Convention will take place in Seattle Oct. 25-27, 2018.
Featured image photo by Marty Kurtz.
