West Virginia University Reed College of Media senior Bailee Tucker and the “WVU News” team each won a Gracie Award from The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. The awards will be presented June 20 in New York City.
Since 1971, the Gracie Awards have celebrated “outstanding programming and individual achievement created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media in news and entertainment.” Each year, a team of industry professionals judge submissions from national and local media professionals in television, radio and digital media.
Tucker and “WVU News” were both recognized in the Television Student Winners Category. They are honored alongside national television winners, including Christina Applegate, Ava Duvernay, Faith Hill and Amanda Seyfriend, as well as “The Drew Barrymore Show” and “Today”.
Tucker won for On-Air Talent in Sports for her work as a main anchor on “Mountaineer Playbook,” the sports production capstone course for Sports and Adventure Media students.
“I've worked really hard to achieve my dreams, and winning this award was reassurance that I'm on the right track to achieve those dreams,” said Tucker. “My time on Mountaineer Playbook has been so helpful and beneficial. Professor Scatterday, Professor Marra and Dean Dahlia have shaped me into a more confident journalist with skills that will help me throughout my career.”
Chuck Scatterday, Shott Teaching Assistant Professor and executive producer of “Mountaineer Playbook,” nominated Tucker for the award.
“Bailee is a talented up-and-coming content creator,” said Scatterday. “She’s been an in-game baseball host for the Black Bears. She’s worked on ESPN production teams as an audio tech, audio mixer and replay. On Big 12 Now on ESPN+, she was the LIVE event producer for WVU Wrestling. Bailee has a bright future ahead of her. She knows production, and she knows how to anchor on camera.”
“WVU News” won in the Soft News Feature category for “WVU Student Becomes First Black Woman to Record ‘Country Roads.’” Ali McDaniel (BSJ, 2022) was the reporter for the story.
“It is surreal seeing this story recognized on a national stage,” said McDaniel, a current law student at George Mason University. “The essence of this feature story was to highlight and honor an inspiring woman within our community, and The Gracie Awards encompass just that. I am honored to share Coreisa’s story and this incredible recognition alongside such accomplished women in the media industry.”
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Teaching Professor Gina Dahlia nominated “WVU News” for the award. “WVU News” is part of the Advanced Television Reporting and Producing course taught by Dahlia, who serves as the program’s executive producer.
"This was the first time I entered our newscast for a Gracie Award,” said Dahlia. “Receiving this prestigious award is further proof of the quality of our students and faculty. Judges selected only one award for best student TV news feature, and the fact that Ali was selected is an honor for not just the student but the College as well."
Tucker and the “WVU News” team will be honored at the upcoming Gracie Awards Luncheon. See a full list of honorees here.