KJHK 90.7 FM, the University of Kansas’s student-run radio station, made waves at the 2025 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Awards, bringing home four prestigious awards on March 8.
The Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, a volunteer-led organization that has supported student broadcasting since 1940, received over 3,000 submissions from more than 100 schools this year. This year, KJHK received 11 nominations and four wins.
KJHK students traveled to New York City in early March to attend the IBS conference and awards ceremony. The event provided opportunities to engage with industry professionals, attend workshops and network with fellow college broadcasters from around the country.
For KJHK Tuesday Night Event coordinator Bea Norton, the experience was unforgettable.
“Walking away from the conference, I couldn't stop smiling. I was so excited when Bryce [Davis] won, and winning straight after him was shocking,” Norton said. “I couldn't believe they had actually chosen my event, and I was ecstatic. I am beyond excited to continue hosting fun events and will never forget how much fun I had in NYC with everyone from KJHK.”
"It was an awesome honor. It's nice to see your hard work and dedication recognized on such a large scale," Trenton Kraxner said. "I feel vindicated for all the work that I've put in these last three years."
In addition to receiving awards, KJHK students were selected to present on topics such as underwriting, concert coverage, and building connections with off-campus communities.
The station has a history of success at the IBS Awards, having won recognition in previous years for the KJHK app, Live @ KJHK broadcasts, and the prestigious Abraham & Borst Award for best overall station.
KJHK’s 2025 IBS Award Winners:
Best Foreign Language Program – French Connection
Dot Smith (Journalism, Waukesha, Wisconsin)
Bryce Davis (Film & Media, Sierra Vista, Arizona)
Best Station Contest – Music Monday Craft Nights
Bea Norton (Multimedia Journalism, Wichita, Kansas)
Cameron Castaldi (Music & History of Art, Olathe, Kansas)
Caroline Blanke (Marketing, St. Louis, Missouri)
Best Sports Play-By-Play (Football) – Kansas vs. Kansas State
Trenton Kraxner (Journalism, Nortonville, Kansas)
Best Phone App – KJHK App
Alexis Vielma (Computer Science, Kansas City, Kansas)
Courtney Lane is the Editor-in-Chief of the University Daily Kansan. She is a senior studying multimedia journalism and photography. Outside of the Kansan, she can be found bouldering or at Love Garden Sounds.
This article was edited by Arts & Culture Editor Isabella Johnson. If the information in this article needs to be corrected, please contact isabella.johnson@ku.edu. We want to hear from you!
