VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University’s Blazer 91.1 WVUB has received a Spectrum Award for “Best COVID-19 Initiatives” presented by the Indiana Broadcasters Association.The radio station won in Radio Market Two for the coverage and community service provided by the staff throughout the pandemic.

"I am so proud of our team and our response during the pandemic," WVUB-FM Promotions Director and On-Air Host Rebecca Clark-Duckworth said. "We were able to find ways to help meet the needs of our community and keep our listeners connected during a time of complete disconnect from everything normal that we knew."

Blazer 91.1 WVUB provided many opportunities for listeners to interact safely and connect with the community. 

It spotlighted heroes in the healthcare industry with Healthcare Highlights and aired promos recognizing all area hospitals.

As local businesses started to re-open after the shutdown, the Blazer created a “Back In Business” page free of charge to all large and small area businesses to list their new operating hours and guidelines.

Last December, the station partnered with the City of Vincennes to present “Christmas in the Park” in place of the annual downtown holiday parade. Floats were displayed throughout Gregg Park, allowing the community to drive safely through and enjoy. The Blazer also partnered with Helping His Hands Food Pantry and asked listeners to bring non-perishable items to the event. Staff and volunteers in proper personal protective equipment collected canned goods and monetary donations. The station also broadcasted two hours of wall-to-wall holiday music for listeners to enjoy as they drove the route of the parked parade.

Earlier this year, the Blazer partnered with the Vincennes Parks Department for the annual Family Valentine Dance. Instead of an in-person event, the station produced a two-hour block of dance music and hosted the Parks Department to help deejay the event in the studio. The Parks Department donated aquatic center passes as listeners texted in while the ‘Virtual Family Valentine Dance” was on the air.

"I am especially proud of our radio team winning this award because of the circumstances involved," WVUB-FM/WFML-FM General Manager Kevin Watson said. "While dealing with the pandemic on a daily basis, both personally and professionally, the team was still able to put together a series of community-facing events that helped our listeners and supporters in a number of tangible and innovative ways. While working in remote, hybrid, and in-person settings across several platforms, the radio staff elevated broadcasting and technology to new levels of service."

Blazer 91.1 WVUB was also a finalist in two other categories: Station of the Year and Local Community Involvement for its Shopping Cart Showdown event.

The Blazer 91.1 WVUB is part of the VU Broadcasting Program. In addition to a staff of professional broadcasters, students experience real-world learning through the program. VU Broadcasting offers state-of-the-art hands-on opportunities that provide students actual experience. Students host on-air television and radio broadcasts such as nightly newscasts on Vincennes PBS-WVUT and produce content for WVUB and WVUT.

At VU, students learn from award-winning faculty and staff who make an outstanding difference in the classroom, at the University, and in the community.

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