Photo by Lynda Shenkman Curtis
A producer and three students on Fordham’s non-commercial radio station WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org) have won Gracie Allen Awards from the American Women in Radio and Television, Inc. (AWRT), the group announced in March. The national awards, which go to some of the biggest names in the broadcasting and cable industries, will be presented at a black-tie gala at Manhattan’s Marriot Marquis on June 18, with an additional June 19 ceremony at the Tavern on the Green restaurant.
Fordham’s winners are:
Producer and host Nora Flaherty, in the category “Outstanding Talk Show,” for her “Fairy Tales” episode of the weekly Fordham Conversations, featuring Anne-Katrin Titze, M.A., lecturer in German. Flaherty interviewed Titze on the difference between the Grimm fairy tales and the Disney versions on a show that aired May 27, 2006.
Narrator Kenny Pordon, a Fordham College at Rose Hill senior, and writer/producer Tim Smith, a Fordham College at Rose Hill senior, in the category “Outstanding Sports Program,” for “Jets Football for Women.”
Megan Blondel, a Fordham College at Rose Hill junior, in the category “Outstanding Anchor, Individual Achievement.”
“These awards are special because they recognize excellence in three areas of WFUV’s programming — news, sports, and public affairs,” said Ralph Jennings, the station’s general manager. “The fact that they honor both our professional and student staff is gratifying, since part of our mission is to create an environment where professionals and students benefit from working together.”
Flaherty, whose Fordham Conversations spotlights the University through features on professors, alumni and students, said it was her both first broadcasting award and an honor to be recognized with “so many impressive men and women.” Other recipients include CNN’s anchor Soledad O’Brien, and Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman.
“I had a fantastic time putting this particular show together, and I guess that came through in the program,” she said.
Student award winner Pordon hosts WFUV’s One on One program and does a weekly sportscast. Blondel, who started working at WFUV as a freshman, writes newscasts and anchors the afternoon news. Both students expressed gratitude for the AWRT recognition and credited WFUV with steering them toward a career in journalism.
“WFUV took in a teenager with very little if any broadcasting experience and molded me into the experienced on-air personality I am today,” Pordon said. “It has given me the tools and confidence to be successful at any endeavor I choose.”
The AWRT, founded in 1951, is the oldest professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. The Gracie Awards have recognized exemplary programming created for women in all areas of electronic media for the past 32 years.
– Janet Sassi
