KOMU Earns Seven Emmy Awards; Student Journalist among Three to Receive the Prestigious Honor

Sarah Hill KOMU Staff Scott Schaefer KOMU Adjunct Faculty Stacey Woelfel Radio-TV Journalism Faculty

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The Emmy Awards KOMU Mid-America Chapter National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences NBC WBIR-TV

By Joan Niesen
Master's Student
Missouri School of Journalism

Columbia, Mo. (October 27, 2009) -- A recent master's graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism and two KOMU-TV staff members were recognized with Emmy Awards at the recent Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in St. Louis.

Jim Matheny, MA '08, and videographer Scott Schaefer with their Emmy Awards.

Reporter Jim Matheny, MA '08, news anchor Sarah Hill and videographer Scott Schaefer all received Emmy Awards in their fields. Matheny received one for his story about a World War II veteran's mission to return a Japanese flag that he confiscated during the war, and Schaefer also was honored for his assistance on this story. Matheny produced the story while a student.

Hill won the award for best news writing, and she and Schaefer shared the awards for best feature news report, best human interest feature and community service. In addition, Schaefer was recognized with the awards for best editor and best photographer.

"It is such an honor for Sarah, Scott and Jim to be recognized with such prestigious awards," said KOMU general manager Marty Siddall. "We are very proud of their accomplishments and commitment to covering the stories that touch the lives of our viewers."

KOMU won seven of the prestigious awards, the most received in a single year. KOMU, mid-Missouri's NBC station, is the only university-owned commercial network affiliate in the United States that uses its newsroom as a working laboratory for students.

"This big of a win across so many categories is rewarding to everyone in the newsroom," said Stacey Woelfel, associate professor and KOMU news director. "I'm particularly pleased to see our student work honored right there alongside our professional work."

Matheny now works as a reporter for WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tenn. He attributes his career success to his time at MU and is grateful for the experience he gained while at KOMU 8.

"I'm just thankful KOMU gave me the opportunity to make mistakes, learn from extremely talented people, and ultimately have some success during my time at the station," said Matheny. "In many respects, I believe KOMU's newsroom provides its journalists with more time, expertise, and other resources to put together these types of meaningful stories than you will find at any station in the country."

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