By Brian Bohl
Two staff members of the Radio Hofstra University (WRHU) received a Folio Award for their coverage of a University student serving in Iraq.
The Fair Media Council selected Elizabeth Alfano, a senior speech-language-hearing sciences major and Dan Lantowski, junior public relations major, as the winners of the feature story long form category. Each year the Fair Media Council recognizes excellence in local news coverage with its annual awards.
The story focused on University student Rob Scarpelli, who served with the Marines on the frontlines of the Iraq war in 2003. WRHU originally aired the interview as a 15-minute special on the Thanksgiving Day version of “Newsline,” the station’s daily 30-minute news show. The station later broadcasts a shorter follow-up story.
Both Alfano and Lantowski said the recognition that followed came as a surprise.
“Neither of us had any clue we would have such a good shot at winning a Folio,” Lantowski said.
He said the former station manager, Andrew Falzon, submitted the piece during winter break.
“I was surprised at first because I did not even think to submit it,” Alfano said. “I was really flattered when Andrew told me he submitted our package.”
WRHU Program Director Nick Rafter said the award was a reflection of the hard work both staff members have put into the station.
“This is the fourth Folio for WRHU and the first time a student won for anything other than election night,” Rafter said.
Rafter said he was surprised when he learned the package had won, but he knew Alfano and Lantowski were dedicated to the station.
“It’s gratifying to see this award will be their legacy,” he said.
Lantowski said in addition to the tangible accolades, he also found the experience of listening to an American soldier rewarding.
“We had a wonderful time producing the entire piece, from the start of the interview all the way down to transferring the file onto a compact disc,” Lantowski said. “We both are very proud of the work and are proud to have been able to interview such an extraordinary person as Rob.”
Rafter said the fact the award was won by two students who are not journalism majors is even more gratifying.
“They work in the WRHU News Department for fun,” he said.