WKAR recently took home a regional EMMY Award for outstanding achievement in television, presented by the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The PBS affiliate is part of Michigan State University's College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS), and is the most prolific producer of quality original television series and specials for the mid-Michigan area.
Winning the Emmy for Best Special Events Coverage (other than News or Sports) were Executive Producer Tim Zeko and Television Station Manager Susi Elkins for WKAR's broadcast of "The 29th Annual Silver Bells in the City."
The Nov. 22, 2014 live broadcast included the electric light parade, lighting of the state Christmas tree, and fireworks over the State Capitol. The event brought together thousands of families and friends from all over Michigan to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
The production was a unique public-private collaboration between WKAR, FOX 47 and the Lansing Public Media Center of the City of Lansing, and aired live on PBS affiliate WKAR TV and Fox 47 WSYM.
"We're pleased and proud that the terrific work of our production partners, our WKAR staff and our CAS student employees has been recognized for excellence by the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This production was a true team effort," said Zeko, who led the TV production crew.
WKAR TV's Tim Elkins directed the award-winning broadcast. The program was hosted by Susi Elkins, Wharton Center Public Relations Manager Bob Hoffman and WLNZ Radio Host Mark Buzzitta.
The Emmy awards were presented at the 36th annual Michigan Emmy Gala June 14 at the MotorCity Sound Board Theater in Detroit. Seven WKAR productions had received nominations.
Also winning an Emmy for Best Documentary in the Cultural Documentary category for "Imported from China" were Geri Alumit Zeldes and Troy Hale, faculty members in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
