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William Paterson University Student Television Show, The Roundabout, Wins Prestigious National 2015 Gracie Award For Outstanding Student Talk Show

From left: Host Laura Madera, ‘15, Professor Loretta Mc Laughlin Vignier, host Tara Felten, ‘17, field Reporter Madonna Tapasco, ‘15, host Nina Carey, ’14 (rear), producer Gina Suarez, ‘15, producer Emily Schneidman, ‘15, field reporter Marshay Rice, ‘15, and host Tiffany Natale, ‘15

--Show was only New Jersey student-produced television show to be honored

The Roundabout, a William Paterson University student-produced television talk show, has been named the recipient of a 2015 Gracie Award, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation.  “The Roundabout” is one of 68 local, public, and student radio and television award winners who were honored at an industry luncheon hosted by NBC’s Tamron Hall on June 22, 2015 at the Hilton in New York City. The Roundabout was the only New Jersey student-produced television show to be honored.

The Gracies recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of electronic media, as well as individuals who have made a contribution to the industry.  The awards program also encourages the realistic and multifaceted portrayal of women in entertainment, news, features, and other programs.  

The Roundabout was honored as “Outstanding Talk Show–Entertainment/Information, Television-Student Market.” The show, created by Loretta McLaughlin Vignier, William Paterson University associate professor of communication and interim associate dean of the University’s College of the Arts and Communication, is designed to give college women a voice while promoting positive images of women in the media.  All content is generated and produced by University students who serve as producers, hosts and field reporters, as well as in media production crew positions.

“The students have taken the show to a new level,” says McLaughlin Vignier, who serves as the show’s faculty advisor. “They generate all of the content and make it their own, targeting college women and men while staying true to a female voice and perspective.  My role has been to ensure professional standards in content, storytelling, and production quality.”

Modeled after ABC-TV’s The View, The Roundabout premiered on the William Paterson campus in fall 2012.  Taped in front of a live studio audience, the show includes segments that address a healthy lifestyle, as well as interviews with students, alumni, and professionals who serve as role models, inspiring college students to achieve success. The show has won a number of awards, including a 2013 Bronze Telly Award in the non-broadcast education category as well as a 2013 Silver Regional and a 2014 Bronze International CINDY Award presented by the International Association of Audio Visual Communicators. Caity Arthur ‘13, one of the show’s four original student hosts, won a 2013 Gracie Award for “Outstanding Host--Entertainment/Information, Television-Student Market.”

Students who were involved in the award-winning production include producers Gina Suarez ’15 of Clifton and Emily Schneidman ’15 of Oakland, hosts Laura Madera ’15 of Bogota, Tara Felten ’17 of West Caldwell, Nina Carey ’14 of Union, and Tiffany Natale ’15 of Edison; and field reporters Madonna Tapasco ’15 of North Bergen and Marshay Rice ’15 of Trenton.  To view the winning episode, visit www.bit.ly/WP_Roundabout.