GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College students earned national recognition at the recent Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards Conference in Times Square, bringing home a national honor for their work with the College’s student-run radio station, WXTC 88.1 FM.
Mariah Moody ’27 and Dylan Brachna ’28 won the IBS award for Best Underwriting/Commercial Spot for their entry highlighting the Greenville business Boundless Books. The awards were presented during the annual IBS conference in New York City, which recognizes outstanding work by student broadcasters from colleges and universities across the country.
“It felt great,” Brachna, WXTC’s production director, was quoted in a Greenville Record-Argus story about the win. “I’m truly humbled by it and grateful to see my work is being recognized on a national level. I also can’t thank Mariah, Jake Clark, and Professor Matthew Humphrey enough because without them that underwriting spot would’ve never seen the light of day.”
Moody, the station manager for WXTC, said she was excited to bring another IBS award back to Greenville and to continue the station’s tradition of national recognition.
The Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference gathers student broadcasters, faculty advisers and media professionals for workshops, networking and the annual IBS Media Awards, which highlight excellence in college radio and television production.
Matthew Humphrey, chair of Thiel College’s Department of Communications Media, said the recognition reflects the quality and dedication of the College’s student broadcasters.
“It’s a true honor to be nominated for another five awards this year at the IBS Conference and an even bigger honor to bring one home to Thiel,” Humphrey said. “It’s a testament to the quality of the Communications Media Department’s student work that we’re consistently ranked alongside and win against much larger and better-known colleges and universities. I’m more than proud of all of my students, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with for next year.”
Over the past several years, Thiel students have consistently been recognized by the IBS Media Awards, which feature entries from college and university broadcasting programs across the United States.
Thiel College received five nominations at the 2026 IBS Media Awards:
WXTC 88.1 FM is Thiel College’s student-run radio station and provides hands-on broadcasting, production and media experience for students in the communications media program.
Humphrey said the national recognition reflects the continued growth of the College’s communications media program and the creativity of its students.
“Congratulations to all of the nominees,” Humphrey said. “We’re proud of the work our students continue to produce and the way they represent Thiel College on a national stage.”
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.