AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

2012 Awards of Distinction Photo Gallery

Since South Carolina is served by so many talented and dedicated broadcasters and by individuals in related fields who work tirelessly to support the industry, SCBA has, over the years, created three awards to recognize those distinguished leaders—Hall of Fame, Honorary Life Membership Award and the Masters Award. Known as the Awards of Distinction, these awards honor those professionals who have set the bar for excellence in South Carolina broadcasting.

Traditionally, these awards are presented each year at a ceremony held in conjunction with the SCBA Winter Convention. The recipients are selected by the SCBA Board of Governors which is comprised of Hall of Fame inductees and SCBA Board members. Nominations are accepted each year in late summer/early fall.  (See award descriptions and criteria below.)   An award is not necessarily presented in each category every year.  

2012 Honorees

Hall of Fame Inductee--George H. Buck, Jr., Radio Broadcast Pioneer and Owner, GHB Broadcasting

Broadcast visionary and highly regarded man of character who embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship

Honorary Life Membership Recipient--Rich O'Dell, President/General Manager, WLTX-TV

Servant leader committed to using the power of broadcast for the greater good through commuity service

Masters Award Recipient--Brent Johnson, Morning Personality/Operations Manager, WTCB-FM, Columbia

Consummate broadcaster advocating live, local radio and delivering it through family-friendly content infused with humor and compassion

NOMINEE CRITERIA
First consideration will be given to those who’ve contributed to the state’s broadcast industry. An individual may be nominated for more than one award if that person meets the criteria for the award but the Board of Governors strongly encourages you to carefully consider the nominee's broadcast background and nominate the candidate for the award that best suits his/her achievements.  Depending on the materials submitted, the Board of Governors has complete discretion to move nominees from one category to another.

Hall of Fame: Nominations may come from any field of the broadcasting industry and may be a posthumous recognition. Criteria for consideration include both broadcast and non-broadcast employment history, awards and honors and community service activities.  Special consideration will be given to those who've contributed to the state's broadcast industry and to the broadcast association. 
Honorary Life Membership Award: Nominee must be living and criteria for consideration include both broadcast and non-broadcast employment history, awards and honors and community service activities.
Masters Award: Nominee must be living and criteria for consideration include on-air broadcast employment history, awards and honors and community service activities. A sampling of the nominee’s on-air work will be requested.

NOMINATOR CRITERIA
Nominations may be made by any full-time employee of an SCBA station or associate member firm, any member of the SCBA Board of Directors, SCBA Past President, SCBA Hall of Fame Inductee, Masters Award Recipient or Honorary Life Member.

HALL OF FAME
First presented in 1973, the Association’s most prestigious award was created to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the broadcast industry in South Carolina or South Carolinians who have made such contributions to broadcasting outside the state. Inductees have reached the highest levels of achievement and success in broadcasting on a local and/or national level. Busts and plaques recognizing their many accomplishments are on display at the SCBA Hall of Fame housed at the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism in Columbia.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

*Deceased

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARD
The Honorary Life Membership Award salutes those who have served broadcasting by making significant contributions to the industry either in South Carolina or outside the state.  Special consideration is given to South Carolina broadcasters. This special category may include broadcast educators, legislators, owners and managers, on-air talent, broadcast technical specialists, legal and regulatory experts or a South Carolinian representing broadcasting on a national level.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

*Deceased

MASTERS AWARD
The Masters Award acknowledges lifetime achievements of on-air broadcasters who have made significant contributions to broadcasting in South Carolina and who personify high broadcast industry standards within their communities.

MASTERS RECIPIENTS

*Deceased