The University of Southern Indiana Radio and Television (RTV) Program has, once again, earned high rankings according to the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). This year, BEA ranked USI as fifth in audio programs, 36th in sports programs and 25th overall out of over 300 schools in the nation. In three years, USI has jumped 16 spots in overall rankings.
The rankings are founded on results from the BEA Festival of Media Arts, an international media competition focused on student and faculty creative endeavors. The rankings are not an overall evaluation of an academic program, but rather an evaluation of the quality and consistency of students’ creative works produced at one institution compared to over 300 other institutions.
“This has become an annual example of the great work done by our students, not only this year but also over the four previous years,” says John Morris, Instructor in Radio and Television. “Our students often use this as a motivator to do the best work possible in hopes of being recognized as among the best in the nation, as many of their peers have been. These rankings once again show what a great education our students are getting and the opportunities that are available.”
USI’s Radio and Television major prepares students for the media industry by providing a foundation in media production, analysis and theory, along with hands-on training in creating, editing and producing digital media. Students learn how to produce and distribute audio and video programs and receive on-air experience.
The University of Southern Indiana’s student publications received widespread recognition this April, earning a combined 13 awards across two regional journalism conferences.
The Shield, USI’s student-run news publication, led the honors with 11 awards from the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Indiana Pro Chapter and the Indiana Collegiate Press Association (ICPA). Students from USI’s literary journal, FishHook, added to the achievements with two additional awards at the ICPA conference.
The Shield earned four awards at the SPJ, Indiana Pro Chapter, annual Best in Indiana Journalism Banquet April 17, in Carmel, Indiana.
“I am so very proud of our Shield staff when they rank among the best at the SPJ Indy awards,” said Philip Todd, Student Publications Advisor. “The Best in Indiana contest groups all collegiate entrants together, regardless of institutional size, so these awards represent work that competed well against even the largest schools in the state.”
At the Indiana Collegiate Press Association's annual conference at Indiana University the following day, April 18, students from FishHook took home two awards while The Shield added seven more to its count.
Hope Pfettscher, FishHook Editor-in-Chief, along with editorial staff members Charles Baker and Scotie Rainwater, accepted two awards for the 2025–26 volume.
For The Shield:
Together, these honors highlight the strength and creativity of USI’s student journalists and writers, as well as the continued excellence of its student-led publications.