IBNA leader receives the association's highest award

Jeff Stein and 2008 Shelley Award winner Dean Borg.

Wartburg College professor Jeff Stein, who also serves as IBNA's executive secretary, has received Iowa broadcast journalism's highest honor.

Stein, the college's R.J. McElroy Chair & Executive-in-Residence in Communication Arts, was given the Iowa Broadcast News Association's Jack Shelley Award during the group's annual convention in Ames on Saturday, May 2.

The presentation was made personally by Shelley, the 97-year-old former news director for WHO radio and television, and professor emeritus of journalism at Iowa State University. The award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to professional broadcast journalism in Iowa.

"This was a complete surprise," Stein said. "I cannot tell you how much this means to me, and to receive it from Jack Shelley himself makes it even more special."

Started as a teen
Stein began his broadcasting career as a high school student, at KFJB radio in Marshalltown. He was an anchor/producer for Iowa Public Radio station WSUI while earning his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa.

In addition to his other duties, he also serves as political analyst for KWWL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Waterloo. His commentary was part of the station's election night reporting, which received this year's Best Political Coverage award from the IBNA. Stein also comments on media and politics regularly on KASI radio in Ames, and KSTP radio in St. Paul/Minneapolis.

"Citizens need good, responsible broadcast journalism now more than ever, and it's our job as professionals and educators to make sure we work every day to serve the public interest," he said.

Administrator, author, adviser
Stein is administrator and co-founder of the Archives of Iowa Broadcasting, and the author of "Making Waves: The People & Places of Iowa Broadcasting". He serves as faculty adviser for the national award-winning Wartburg Television student channel, and teaches media law & ethics, electronic media history and television courses at the Waverly-based college.

Stein is the 38th recipient of the Shelley Award

"I am stunned by how many people were involved in making this happen, and I thank each of them for their confidence in me," Stein said.