The Georgia Association of Broadcasters has honored WUGA, 91.7/97.9 FM, public radio for the Athens area, with five awards for excellence in programming during the calendar year 2010.
WUGA radio won the first place Gabby Award for best station-produced non-news radio program. The honor went to the Christmas special, “A Classic Performance,” produced by Michael Cardin, production manager. The program featured the university’s 2010 holiday concert at Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall.
The radio station also earned the second place merit award for a non-news program for “Handle With Care.” Independent producer Telmeko
Ransom-Smith interviewed a range of people on topics dealing with illness, impairments and disabilities for the series. The talk show is heard on WUGA on Sundays at 4:30 p.m.
A first place Gabby for best feature, series or documentary went to “Coastal Kids’ Songs.” Mary Kay Mitchell, WUGA news director, worked with David Bryant, assistant director of the Georgia Sea Grant Program, to highlight a collaboration between Georgia Sea Grant and the Savannah Music Festival.
A series of reports by Mitchell, Steve Bell and Pete Konenkamp on UGA research into the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico took the second place merit award for best feature, series or documentary.
Mitchell also produced “Deep University Cuts,” a report that won the first place Gabby for best news story. The report featured former Gov. Sonny Perdue stating his opposition to State Sen. Seth Harp’s attempt to drastically slash the budget for the University System of Georgia.
