Indiana television reporter receives Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award

On the recommendation of the ARRL Public Relations Committee, the ARRL Board of Directors voted at its meeting last month to confer the 2007 Bill Leonard, W2SKE, Professional Media Award to a Fort Wayne, Indiana television reporter.

Alyssa Ivanson, of WANE-TV News brought public attention to Amateur Radio by producing and reporting a television story on the efforts of Emery McClendon, KB9IBW, also of Fort Wayne, to create and promote Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day. McClendon traveled to Washington, DC and met with First Lady Laura Bush as part of his promotion of Amateur Radio.

The annual award honors a professional journalist whose outstanding coverage in TV, radio, print or multimedia best reflects the enjoyment, importance and public service value of Amateur Radio. The award was created as a tribute to the late CBS News President Bill Leonard, W2SKE. He was an avid Amateur Radio operator, and most active on the air during the 1960s and 1970s.

As the winner of the Bill Leonard Award, Ivanson will receive a plaque and a cash prize of $500. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, said, "There were nine excellent nominations for the award this year, and voting was tight. Submitted materials were judged by the ARRL's national Public Relations Committee and their final recommendation was approved by the Board of Directors at the January 2008 meeting." Ivanson said, "I am honored to win the Bill Leonard Award. It was a privilege to meet Emery and tell the public about his efforts to bring a little bit of 'home' to the troops through Ham radio and ARMAD."

Ivanson, the weekend anchor at WANE, graduated magna cum laude from Ball State University's Honors College with a degree in telecommunications; she joined WANE in January 2006. "The news business is exciting; each day presents new challenges and rewards. I love meeting so many new people and never knowing what each day holds," she said.

Ivanson is no stranger to journalism awards. In her first year at WANE-TV, she was awarded third best reporter in the state by the Indiana Associated Press. In college, she was awarded the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award for her work on a morning radio program. She was the first recipient of the Jack McQuate Associated Press Scholarship and a three-time winner of the Indiana Broadcasters Association Scholarship.

When she's not at work, Ivanson, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the theater, hosting dinner parties and cave exploring. According to Emery McClendon, there are two hams in the WANE newsroom who will be "encouraging" Ivanson to add Amateur Radio operator to her list of accomplishments very soon.

Source: ARRL