MSU's Impact named college station of year; staffers win individual awards

For journalism graduate student Wes Holing, hearing that MSU’s student radio station was named college station of the year was thrilling enough.

Finding out that he had won an individual award as well was icing on the cake.

“I know it sounds silly, but I’ve never really won anything like this,” said Holing, the station’s news director.

Holing won first place in the daily newscast/news feature category, and the station, WDBM (88.9-FM), the Impact, won the gold record — given to the station of the year — for the eighth time in nine years.

Stations are judged by professional broadcasters throughout Michigan and awards are presented by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Broadcast Music Inc.

“This is a thrill for the students and staff,” station general manager Gary Reid said. “Each year, the competition gets better and our product gets better.”

The gold record was awarded based on total points from specialized awards in seven categories.

Holing was one of four staffers who won individual first-place awards, joining Noah Ullmann, Kevin Dye and station manager Jeremy Whiting. Ed Glazer, the station’s Web director, won three individual awards.

Whiting said the station’s success is based on its ability to consistently deliver a relevant product.

“What sets us apart is that we try to deliver content over new media that are relevant,” he said. “We try to deliver meaningful content not just for the MSU student body. With online streaming and podcasts, we’re a global radio station.”

Holing said the Impact is a cut above other college broadcasts because of the reputation and dedication of the staff.

“We have a record to uphold here,” he said. “We’re not just a college radio station. We model ourselves after any great radio station, and we compare with the best.”

The Impact was the first college radio station to begin broadcasting in high-definition digital signal in November 2004. Whiting said similar innovation and constant evolution are needed to keep the station relevant in the MSU community.

“Radio today is content-based,” Whiting said. “ We’re trying to get more information out there and more user interaction.”