Ball State University Recognized with Regional Emmy® Awards for Faculty, Staff, and Student Work

Topics: Academic Programs, Awards, College of Communication Information and Media, Faculty, Immersive Learning, Students

July 22, 2025

Ball State University's College of Communication, Information, and Media (CCIM) earned recognition at the 2025 NATAS Central Great Lakes Regional Emmy® Awards, with faculty, staff, and students receiving awards and nominations across several categories for professional and student-produced work.

"This recognition is a testament to the immersive, hands-on experiences we provide across our programs in CCIM," said Dr. Kristen McCauliff, CCIM dean. "Our students and faculty continue to lead by example-blending creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology to produce work that informs, inspires, and elevates. I'm incredibly proud of our Emmy® winners and nominees. Their success reflects the excellence that defines the CCIM experience."

At the professional level, Ball State was recognized with two Regional Emmy® Awards:

• Sports Documentary: Transatlantic Storytelling, produced by Cameron Clift, '24; Chris Taylor, senior director of sports production; and Alex Kartman, director of sports production.
  
  
• Technical Achievement: Ball State University Studio Renovations, awarded to Suzy Smith, chair of the Department of Media; Matthew Zeller; Alex Kartman; Ben Strack; Betsy Pike; and Jerry Pierce.
  
  

Additional nominations included:

• Graphic Arts: "A Chris-Mystery II - Case of the Missing Missus Opening" - Chris Flook
  
  
• Special Event Coverage: "Eclipsed! A Magical Night of Music" - Phil Hoffman, Mike Vendeland, and Paul Brown

Ball State students were also honored in the Student Production Awards, with multiple wins for work produced through Ball State Sports Link:

Student Production Award Winners

• Magazine Program: "SL Featured" - Nate Locker, Madeline Howell, Dominick Liacone, JJ Gregston
• Sports Story: "Muncie's Own Addie Chester" - Jordan Klimes, Matthew Gillie, Max Gillie
• Sports Program: "Iron Sharpens Iron (Episode 4)" - Tyler Klimes, Evan Cummings, Sam Neiger, Rachel Henderson
• Sports Program: "Men's Volleyball Prematch Show" - Drew Hurst, Madeline Howell, Jordan Klimes, AJ Swiatek, Sam Neiger
• College Live Sporting Event/Game: "Women's Volleyball vs. WMU on ESPN+" - Nate Locker, Jordan Klimes, Drew Hurst, Evan Stowell, AJ Swiatek
• Promotional Video: "2024-25 Women's Basketball Intro" - Nate Locker
• Promotional Video: "2024 Men's Volleyball Intro" - Jackson DiVincenzo, Caden Vincent
• Photographer: Nate Locker
• Talent: News/Sports: Dominick Liacone
• Director: Rachel Henderson

The NATAS Central Great Lakes Chapter includes television markets in Northern Ohio, Central and Northeastern Indiana, and Erie, Pennsylvania. The Regional Emmy® Awards are peer-judged honors recognizing creative achievement in television and media production.

To learn more about the College of Communication, Information, and Media at Ball State, visit bsu.edu/ccim.