UW-Oshkosh students earn top honors, scholarships from Wisconsin Broadcasters Association

Members of Titan TV at UW-Oshkosh pose during the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Student Awards for Excellence ceremony Feb. 28 at Lambeau Field, where the student-run media organization earned top honors for leadership and production excellence.

When members of Titan TV at UW-Oshkosh gathered Feb. 28 at Lambeau Field for the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Student Awards for Excellence ceremony and Student Forum, they represented more than a campus media organization. They represented a culture of experiential learning at UWO that continues to earn statewide recognition.

Leadership recognized at the highest level

Senior Dylan Przybylski of Oconto Falls received the 2026 WBA Student Leadership Award, one of the organization's highest honors for college broadcasters. The award recognizes a student who demonstrates initiative, service and meaningful impact within campus media.

A first-generation college student majoring in radio TV film, Przybylski said the recognition carries special meaning. "Receiving the award means so much to me, especially since I was a freshman when the upperclassmen in the program took me in," he said. "Now I'm paying it forward by being a mentor and role model to the underclassmen."

Przybylski said UW-Oshkosh challenged him to grow not just as a broadcaster, but as a leader.

"Receiving the award means so much to me, especially since I was a freshman when the upperclassmen in the program took me in," he said. "Now I'm paying it forward by being a mentor and role model to the underclassmen."

He said leadership at Titan TV is about helping others discover their strengths. Beyond his work in Titan TV, Przybylski is a student ambassador for the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association's pilot ambassador program at UW-Oshkosh, a statewide initiative designed to connect college students with broadcasting professionals and build the next generation of media talent.

"I've learned that every student is different in how they learn and take in information," he said. "Letting students have the freedom to try different things allows them to tap into a creative side they may not have known about. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and has different strengths, and I try to help them find those strengths on their own."

Przybylski's leadership recognition came on the same day he celebrated competitive success. Przybylski was executive producer of Track Attack, the student-produced program that earned first place in the Episodic Entertainment Program (TV) category. Producers Evan Berger and Grant Burg were also recognized for their work on the show.

He also served as a featured panelist during the WBA Student Forum in a session titled Flash Forward: Your Path Ahead in College Media, offering guidance to peers from across Wisconsin about building careers in the industry.

Scholarships highlight depth of talent

Two additional Titan TV student leaders were recognized during the forum as scholarship recipients. Annelise (AJ) Dahnke, a Titan TV news producer from Berlin, and Makenna Thompson, a Titan TV sports director, were among just four students statewide selected to receive WBA scholarships, awarded for academic achievement, leadership and professional promise in broadcasting.

Dahnke, the 2025 David L. Nelson Scholarship recipient, is majoring in radio TV film and plans to graduate in spring 2027. She serves as a Titan TV news producer and has worked in multiple studio roles, including camera operator, assistant director and producer. In addition to her broadcast work, she serves as head of public relations for the Titan Film Society and co-vice president of the Oshkosh Film Forum.

Thompson, a senior radio TV film major with a minor in media studies from Cary, Illinois, has worked in nearly every live production role, including directing, graphics operator, replay and camera. She also served as executive producer of the studio show Hot Wings Hot Takes, gaining experience both behind the scenes and in leadership positions.

"I am extremely grateful to receive the Morgan Murphy Media Scholarship," Thompson said. "I am fortunate to be in a major and career surrounded by creative people who are passionate about challenging expectations and bringing their ideas to life. Being part of Titan TV and the RTF program has allowed me to explore various opportunities that helped solidify my future career goals."

Competitive excellence across categories

Ben Colombe, Titan TV station manager, earned first place in the Sports Story (TV) category for UW-Oshkosh Baseball Field. Cameron Reese, the station's digital content director, received second place in the Promo (TV) category for Ill-Fated. Together.

"The primary goal of the Radio TV Film program is to provide space for students to immediately begin their professional media careers the day they step on campus," said Justine Stokes, Titan TV general manager.

"Having students recognized by such a respected organization as the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association is recognition of their hard work and long hours making a meaningful contribution to Wisconsin media."

Learn more:

Study radio TV film at UWO

Award-winning Radio TV Film senior found her path, says UWO gave her space to figure it out

UWO RTF alumna leads off with Red Sox media team less than year from graduation

Student Awards of Excellence - Titan TV (Links to video)

First Place, Sports Story (TV), UW-Oshkosh Baseball Field, Ben Colombe

First Place, Episodic Entertainment Program (TV), Track Attack, Dylan Przybylski, Evan Berger, Grant Burg

Second Place, Promo (TV), Ill-Fated - Cameron Reese