MUNCIE, Ind.-- Ball State University’s "Connections Live," a student-produced television magazine program has won two regional Emmy Awards.

The student program originates in the Department of Telecommunications and airs on WIPB-TV, public broadcasting for East Central Indiana.

It is the first time either "Connections Live" or WIPB have won an Emmy Award.

The Cleveland chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences reviewed three nominations from Ball State. The awards were for Crafts: Writer/Non-News Writing and the Best Student Program.

The winning student program featured news and entertainment segments, plus a story about an Indiana town, as well as a report about drug addiction recovery. Brian Miller, Glenview, Ill., and Jobie Ormes from Greenwood, Ind., were executive producers. Both have graduated from the university since the program was produced.

"It was fun to watch Connections grow from making occasional taped episodes a few years ago to winning an Emmy Award today," said Jon Ratliff, senior and next year's Connections executive producer. "We had a group hug backstage after we won, which shows the team spirit that got us to that point."

The writing award went to Jim Shasky, telecommunications instructor, for a humorous piece told from the viewpoint of a dog.

"We were the only university to win an award that night because, as anyone who watches the national Emmy awards on television knows, they almost always go to professional broadcasters," said Scott Olson, dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media. "Universities just don't earn awards like these very often, and in this case, it was student work being honored."

The event, staged at the Cleveland Playhouse Theater Saturday, recognized broadcast work in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

By Tim Underhill, Electronic Media Coordinator

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Shasky by e-mail at jshasky@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-9079.)