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Impact 89FM (WDBM-FM) at MSU Named National College Audio Outlet of the Year

November 13, 2026

(L-R) Impact 89FM program director Fletcher Wasnich, engagement editor Isabella Figueroa Nogueira, senior video producer Laura Thielman and culture editor Chloe Mavis accept the CMA Pinnacle Award for Audio Outlet of the Year on Friday, November 6, 2026 at the College Media Association MediaFest in Kansas City.

Impact 89FM (WDBM-FM), Michigan State University's student-run radio station and media organization, recently earned multiple honors in the College Broadcasters, Inc. National Student Production Awards as well as the College Media Association Pinnacle Awards. These awards recognize excellence in student-produced audio, journalism, sports broadcasting, public service and overall programming.

This is the third time Impact 89FM has been named the top college audio outlet in the nation by the College Media Association.

The awards were presented in ceremonies at the College Broadcasters, Inc. National Student Electronic Media Convention in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 17, 2026 and the College Media Association MediaFest in Kansas City on November 6, 2026.

The station was recipient of the following awards:

CMA Pinnacle Awards: Audio Outlet of the Year
First Place: Staff

CMA Pinnacle Awards: Audio Public Service Announcement
First Place: Caleb Jones, Adam Stall, Wren Cueter, Sora Page

CMA Pinnacle Awards: Feature Package
Second Place: Liam Clymer

CMA Pinnacle Awards: Best DJ Personality
Third Place: Eboni Miller

CMA Pinnacle Awards: Creative Audio Performance
Honorable Mention: Paul Griesmann, Miaomiao Zi, Lucy Burnett, Ethan McCullough, Cooper Randall, Emma Howe

CBI National Student Production Awards: Best Audio Music Production
First Place: Miaomiao Zi, Cooper Randall, Emma Howe, Paul Griesmann, Ethan McCullough, Lucy Burnett, Kendra Conely, Jake Johnson, Lalit Chitibomma, Angelo Scarnecchia

CBI National Student Production Awards: Best Promo
First Place: Caleb Jones, Tyler McAmmond, Thomas Maynard

CBI National Student Production Awards: Best Public Service Announcement
First Place: Garrett Simpson, Caleb Jones

CBI National Student Production Awards: Best Sports Play-by-Play
Third Place: Jack Vohwinkle, Oscar Henderson

Work was broadcast in the Lansing radio market on 88.9 FM and published online through Impact 89FM's website at impact89fm.org and social media channels.
 
“These awards truly reflect the hard work and dedication of our student staff,” station manager Kennedy DeMars said. “Every student here at Impact 89FM constantly demonstrates the high quality of work that is possible at a student media organization.”
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