IBNA Honors Former KOEL News Director Pam Ohrt [Video]

Former KOEL news director Pam Ohrt has received the highest honor given by the Iowa Broadcast News Association (IBNA).

On Saturday, Ohrt was presented with the Jack Shelley award at the IBNA's convention in Johnston. The award, named after the long-time WHO news director who later taught at Iowa State University, is given annually by the organization for outstanding contributions to professional broadcast journalism in Iowa.

Ohrt had a 27-year professional career in radio news, most of it at KOEL-AM/FM. During her time at the Oelwein-based stations, Ohrt served as assistant news director to the legendary Dick Petrik. She became news director when Petrik retired in 1992.

Petrik was the first recipient of the Jack Shelley award in 1972.

“I am so deeply honored to receive the Shelley Award." Ohrt said. "I had no idea that I had even been nominated, so I was completely shocked and overwhelmed when the award was announced. Jack Shelley was one of my professors in the journalism program at Iowa State University, and his guidance influenced me throughout my career. Dick Petrik, the first Shelley Award winner, was my mentor for more than two decades as I worked in broadcast news at KOEL Radio in Oelwein."

When Ohrt left KOEL, she took her professional experience to the classroom. For the past 13 years, she has taught journalism and radio broadcasting at Wartburg College in Waverly. She also advises KWAR, Wartburg's student radio station.

Congratulations, Pam, on an honor well-deserved.

To see the complete list of Jack Shelley award winners since 1972, CLICK HERE.

Video-Courtesy: Cliff Brockman via YouTube
Source: Des Moines Register