By Kiara Catanzaro
News Assignment Editor
Danny Bush, ’13, a graduate student in the Integrated Marketing Communications program, received the 2013 Tim Russert Medal of Merit Award at the annual Buffalo Broadcasters Association Awards dinner. In addition to the award, Bush won a $1,000 scholarship.
Bush, a multimedia producer for St. Bonaventure, discussed his gratitude to the staff in the school of journalism and mass communication for their nominations.
“Being nominated for the award was an honor, but to win the award was an absolute dream,” Bush said.
Bush said he felt privileged to know that the professors in the school of journalism and mass communication recognized him for his work.
“The Jandoli School has a group of talented professors who have worked in professional fields, which gives them a lot of credibility,” Bush said. “Knowing that I was in their thoughts for the nomination was a powerful feeling.”
Bush said he was especially grateful of Paul Wieland, a lecturer in the school of journalism and mass communication, for his advice throughout his education.
“He showed me the ropes when it comes to making a news story good,” Bush said. “He has never been coy about when a project has been good or bad, so that guidance has helped me along the way.”
Bush said he aspires to work with the Buffalo Broadcasters as a videographer or documentarian after he completes his Master’s degree.
“I have been passionate about video before and during my studies in journalism at St. Bonaventure,” Bush said. “I can only hope that I will have a professional career working with video in the future when I leave St. Bonaventure.”
This marks the second time in two years a student from the Russell J. Jandoli School of Jounalism and Mass Communication has won the award. Last year, Shannon Shephard, ‘12, received the Medal of Merit for her work with her show “Out of Bounds” and her radio show on WSBU 88.3 The Buzz.
The Buffalo Broadcasters Foundation was organized in 1996 and is committed to sustaining and advancing Western New York’s broadcasting history.
In addition to Bush’s award, Bob Koop was honored posthumously with the 2013 Buffalo Broadcasters Association Memorial Award.
Throughout his professional career,Koop worked for various television and radio stations throughout his career. In 1981, Koop joined WIVB Channel 4 in Buffalo.
After a 10-year battle with leukemia, Koop died on Jan. 1, 1995. In 1998, Koop’s parents donated money to St. Bonaventure University for the creation of the Bob Koop Broadcast Journalism Lab in the Murphy Professional Building.
