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Dec. 16, 2002

ULM Assistant Professor wins National Recognition

Assistant Professor of Mass Communications and Faculty Adviser for radio station KXUL at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Joel Willer, has been awarded College Media Adviser's 2002 Distinguished Broadcast Advisor Award for Four-Year Colleges and Universities. Willer is the fifth honoree in the 10-year history of this national CMA commendation.

In his capacity as general manager and faculty adviser for campus radio station KXUL, Joel Willer has created a professional atmosphere that serves as an excellent training ground for his students. Colleagues and students agree that the continued success of the radio station is due in large part to the efforts of Willer and his commitment to student media. Willer demonstrates an obvious and genuine concern for the station and the students involved in broadcasting.

An excellent role model, his guidance and insistence on professionalism help prepare his students for future careers in broadcasting. ULM Mass Communications Department Head Bette Kauffman says " One of Willer's strengths as an adviser is that he holds students to the same impeccably professional standards to which he holds himself. We are very proud of his accomplishment with CMA.""

As one alumnus notes, "He doesn't lead with a heavy hand, nor does he unduly restrict or limit the people in his charge. He instead strikes the perfect balance for an adviser, encouraging his students to take full advantage of the educational opportunities that the station affords them, yet at the same time ensuring that adhere to professional and ethical guidelines."

Another student comments, "Professor Joel Willer allows opportunity for staff to make decisions concerning the station. He allows staff to create, dismiss and review policy as well as express our feelings about the station. These examples of strong communication are essential to our station and are practiced daily. "To this point, Willer comments, "A student needs to be afforded the freedom to learn through exploration, through being allowed to succeed and sometimes through failure. Effective teaching requires guidance, but the students must be actively involved and engaged in his or her own education."

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