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WSRE Wins Telly Award for “Forts 
of Pensacola Bay” Program

 

WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, has 

been awarded the bronze Telly Award for 
production of the “Forts of Pensacola Bay: 
Advanced Redoubt” episode of “In Your 
Own Backyard.” 

 The program is part of a three-part series 

and focuses on the Advanced Redoubt of 
Fort Barrancas, which saw action during the 
Civil War, located at present-day Naval Air 
Station Pensacola. Construction began on 
the structure in 1845, and it was designed to 
help protect Fort Barrancas from land-based 
attacks. National Park Service Ranger Jeff 
Massey appears on the show, taking viewers 
on a guided tour which is rich in historical 
detail. 

 “In Your Own Backyard,” hosted by Sherri 

Hemminghaus Weeks, is about unique points 
of interest along the Gulf Coast. Producing 
this award-winning episode were WSRE’s 
Ted King (writer, producer, videographer 
and editor) and James Roy (videographer, 
graphic designer and colorist). Tris Weeks 
served as production assistant. Mike Rowan is 
executive producer of the series.

 Founded in 1978, the Telly Award honors 

excellence in video and television production, 
recognizing distinction in creative work. 
Telly Awards are sought-after by advertising 
agencies, production companies, television 
stations, cable operators, interactive agencies 
and corporate video departments around the 
world. 
 
The “Forts of Pensacola Bay” programs 
can be viewed online at wsre.org/watch.

UWF Accepting Nominations for 

Spirit of UWF and Alumni Awards

 

The inaugural Spirit of UWF Awards 

celebrate and strengthen collaboration 
between the University and the larger 
community UWF serves. Those eligible for 
nomination include businesses, organizations, 
agencies and individuals, along with UWF 
administrators, staff, faculty and students.   
Nominations will be accepted for the 
following awards:
Research and Scholarship 
Workforce and Career Development 
Public Service and Education 
Quality of Life 
Community Engagement Educator Award 
Community Impact Award 
Community Innovation Award

The Alumni Awards recognize those who 

excel in representing the UWF Alumni 
Association, the University, their respective 
communities and the 80,000 UWF alumni 
worldwide. Those eligible for nomination 
include UWF alumni, friends, faculty and 
staff.
Nominations will be accepted for the 
following awards:
The Chambered Nautilus Award of Merit
Distinguished Alumnus
Outstanding Young Alumnus
Honorary Alumnus 

“To pause and celebrate the remarkable 

accomplishments of our alumni, friends and 
community members is a worthy endeavor,” 
said Dr. Meredith Brunen, interim vice 
president for University Advancement. 

 The Spirit of UWF Awards will be 

presented in conjunction with the UWF 
Alumni Awards during Homecoming Week 
in October.

 Nominations are open April 10 to July 7. 

To view the award criteria and nomination 
forms, visit uwf.edu/alumniandspirit.

UWF Alumna Wins Air Force Test 
Center Award

 
University of West Florida graduate, Jessica 

Whitten, won the Category 1 Civilian of the 
Year for the Air Force Test Center, which 
encompasses the 96th Test Wing, Eglin 
AFB, Florida; 412th Test Wing, Edwards 
AFB, California; and Arnold Engineering 
Development Complex (AEDC) Arnold 
AFB, Tennessee.

 “This is quite an astounding 

accomplishment for someone with less than 
a year of government service,” said Sean 
Sylvester, a recruiter for the Air Force and 
instructor at UWF.

 The U.S. Air Force recruited Whitten into 

its prestigious Scientist & Engineering Palace 
Acquire Program for government civilians. 
The Air Force established the three-year 
program to heighten its ability to maintain a 
technology-intensive environment by hiring 
dynamic, creative and innovative scientists 
and engineers. The fi rst and third years of the 
program involve hands-on training, while the 
second year includes graduate studies paid for 
by the Air Force.

 Whitten is currently pursuing a Master 

of Science in electrical engineering from the 
University of Florida as part of the Palace 
Acquire Program.

 

For more information about the Hal 
Marcus College of Science and Engineering, 
visit uwf.edu/cse.

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