New York Public Radio Station WFUV Honored with 2014 News and Sports Journalism Awards

The news and sports departments of the New York public radio station WFUV (90.7 FM/wfuv.org) are distinguishing themselves again this year in awards competitions. The New York State Associated Press announced that the station had earned first place in three professional categories. News & Public Affairs Director George Bodarky received two of them: Best News Special Documentary (shared with recently graduated student journalists Morlene Chin and Julie Clark) and Best Interview. In addition, Bodarky received special mentions for Best News Series, Best Spot News Coverage, and the Art Athens General Excellence of Individual Reporting award. The other first place award went to one of WFUV's student journalists, recent graduate Alex Smith for Best Sports Coverage. In the student competition for The Memorial Award for Best News Story, Kris Venezia took first place.

Earlier this year, The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation presented a Gracie Award to Morlene Chin for Outstanding Host in the Entertainment/Information category.

The Society of Professional Journalists presented The Mark of Excellence Awards to three WFUV student journalists. Bobby Gubin won a regional award for Radio Feature, as did Alex Smith for Radio Sports Reporting. Connor Ryan won a regional award for the Radio In-Depth Reporting category and is now a national finalist.

"While WFUV is known as a music-formatted station, we are enormously proud of our award-winning news and sports departments," said WFUV general manager Chuck Singleton. "Not only is George Bodarky clearly one of the country's leading broadcast journalists, he is an outstanding mentor. Both he and our sports producer Bob Ahrens are inspiring our students to do work that equals that of their professional counterparts."

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COMPLETE LIST OF HONORS AND AWARDS:

Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Gracie Awards

Student Awards:

Morlene Chin*, Outstanding Host - Entertainment/Information

Society of Professional Journalists: Mark of Excellence Awards

Radio News Reporting:

"Falling Tree Kills New Yorker, Many Point to Budget Cuts," Connor Ryan* (Finalist)

Radio Feature:

Winner: "I am Somebody," Bobby Gubin*

Radio In-Depth Reporting:

Winner: "Eyes on the Street: Seeking Justice and Pressuring Freedoms," Connor Ryan*

Radio Sports Reporting:

Winner: "Bob Costas: The Last Word," Alex Smith*

Best All-Around Newscast:

Finalist: Ann Pierret

New York State Associated Press

Best News Special Documentary:

Cityscape: The Roaring 20s -- George Bodarky, Morlene Chin*, Julie Clark* (First Place)

Cityscape: Pigeons Love 'em or Hate 'em -- George Bodarky, Morlene Chin* (Special mention)

Best News Series:

Strike a Chord: Food Banks and Soup Kitchens -- Stephanie Kuo (Special Mention)

Health Disparities in NYC -- George Bodarky (Special Mention)

Best Interview:

Glenn Close and Family Battle Stigma of Mental Illness -- George Bodarky

Best Spot News Coverage:

Metro North Train Derailment -- George Bodarky (Special Mention)

Best Sports Coverage:

Bob Costas: The Last Word -- Alex Smith* (First Place)

Art Athens General Excellence of Individual Reporting:

George Bodarky: Health Disparities in NYC. (Special Mention)

New York State Associated Press STUDENT Awards:

Best News Story: Some NYC Lawmakers, Advocacy Groups Aim to Change City's Use of Solitary Confinement , Kris Venezia* (First Place)

*=Fordham Student or recent graduate

About WFUV: WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), New York's source for music discovery, is a noncommercial, member-supported public media service of Fordham University for more than 65 years. WFUV has received national recognition for its award-winning weekday format of adult album alternative music, award-winning local news and sports, and a diverse weekend lineup. WFUV's robust website has extensive audio archives, videos, song playlists, an events calendar, blog and other resources.