UIndy Students Awarded in 2025 International Student Broadcasting Championship

Many communication students at the University of Indianapolis were finalists in the 2025 International Student Broadcasting Championship. The International Student Broadcasting Championship encourages students to improve their skills in radio broadcasting, video production, and digital content creation.

Rick Dunkle, general manager of both UIndy TV and UIndy Radio, feels lucky to watch his students grow throughout their time in applied communications courses. 

“Teaching these students over the past three years has been one of the most significant highlights of my career, not just because of how ridiculously talented and impressive they are, but because I feel like they’ve taught me just as much as I’ve taught them, so we’ve all grown together along the way,” said Dunkle. 

The students awarded are listed below:

Best TV Sports Color Caster Winner

Jace Hodge

“I challenge you to find a broadcast professional as versatile in on-camera work as Jace Hodge,” said Dunkle. “Winning the International Championship brings greater visibility to a DII media program that competes at a DI level.”

Best TV Play-by-Play Finalists

Jake Helton

Jace Hodge

Best Audio Production Finalist

Jake Helton

Best Interview Finalist

Jake Helton 

“Jake Helton was named an international finalist in three different categories,” said Dunkle. “To place among the top six in the world in Audio Production, Interviewing, and TV Sports Play-by-Play is a remarkable feat.”

Best TV Sports Presenter Finalist

Jacksen Strassburger

“Jacksen Strassburger is only a sophomore and already an international finalist,” said Dunkle. “I’m excited to see how much further he develops over the next few years.”

Best TV News Broadcaster Finalists

Allison Cook & Evan Porterfield 

“It was such an honor to be an international finalist alongside Evan Porterfield for ISBC’s ‘Best TV News Broadcaster’ category,” said Cook. “We put a lot of care into our work. Seeing it get recognized among some of the best students in the world is definitely something I am proud of.” 

“Alli Cook and Evan Porterfield navigated heartbreaking storytelling with compassion and integrity, and their combined effort impacted our program significantly,” said Dunkle.

Best Music Director Finalist

Alyssa Puente

“This award means a lot to me, knowing that after I graduate in December, I have left an impact on UIndy Radio as a station that will only continue to grow after I leave,” said Puente. “I spent all last semester revamping the station with the trust from our General Manager, Rick Dunkle, and our Program Director, Henri Pensis, giving me full creative abilities. With their trust, I was able to learn the ins and outs of completely turning around a radio station to better fit its tagline of ‘a station by students, for students.’”

“Alyssa Puente has been named an international finalist for her role as Music Director at WICR two years in a row,” said Dunkle. “To finish second in the world is a well-deserved honor that serves as a fitting send-off as she wraps her undergraduate collegiate career this December.”

Best TV News or Sports Feature Finalist

LAST CALL

“LAST CALL is our longest-running Sports Talk Show,” said Dunkle. “The teams in front of and behind the cameras have shaped the athletic discourse on this campus and across the state of Indiana for years. I couldn’t say I was surprised by them finishing in the top six in the world. The team is extraordinary.”