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Local media outlets recognized with Presidential Partnership awards

 

Halifax Community College President, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin Sr. recognized recipients of the fourth annual Presidential Partnership Award during commencement exercises, May 15. The award recognizes organizations that assist HCC in fulfilling its mission.

 

Recipients of this year’s award included The Daily Herald, Commonwealth Progress, Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, First Media Radio, and WEZU FM Radio.

 

“We have a number of people who help us carry out the mission of Halifax Community College. Most of these are through our partnerships,” said Griffin. “This is our way of recognizing organizations that are committed to helping the college fulfill its mission.”

 

About the HCC Partners

Founding Editor and Publisher, J.T. Stainback began weekly publication of The Daily Herald in 1924. In 1947, The Daily Herald was acquired by Wick Communications, headquartered in Sierra Vista, Ariz. On Sept. 13, 1948, the newspaper became a daily publishing as The Daily Herald, Monday through Friday afternoons, and The Sunday Herald on Sunday morning.  The front page of the first issue of the new daily featured a letter from President Harry Truman offering his congratulations to the newspaper and the city of Roanoke Rapids. The separate naming of the daily and Sunday editions was discontinued in January 2000 with all editions of the newspaper becoming The Daily Herald. The newspaper has received numerous awards from state and national organizations including the North Carolina Press Association, National Newspaper Association and the Associated Press. News Editor Kristin Smith was present to accept the award.

 

The Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer was founded by the late Maurice Emory in 1993. The first edition was published Nov. 2, 1993. Womack Publishing Company acquired the Gazette in 1996. In December 2009, Womack purchased the Littleton Observer and merged the Gazette and Observer to become the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer. The first edition of the newspaper as the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer published Jan. 6, 2010. The Gazette-Observer is part of a newspaper group, which consists of five newspapers and includes the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer and the Warren Record in North Carolina, and the Independent Messenger, the Brunswick Times-Gazette and the South Hill Enterprise in Virginia. Editor Susan Shaw-Snow was present to accept the award.

 

WEZU 95.9FM is licensed to Better Life Incorporated, a locally based not-for-profit 501 c3 community service corporation founded in 1987 by George and Sithah Campbell.  The station's mission is to provide a programming schedule that respects the intelligence of listeners and uses all resources available to provide a diverse programming schedule that entertains, educates and empowers those living in the service area. WEZU also provides opportunities through internships and on-the-job training regardless of race, religion, gender, age or physical or mental challenges. WEZU 95.9FM is "radio to help you grow." Station Manager George Campbell was present to accept the award.

 

First Media Radio LLC has been in the Roanoke Rapids area since December 2003. The company owns six popular radio stations in the area including 102.3 WPTM, The Great 98 WTRG 97.9 FM, 99.5 JAMZ, 107.7 3WD, AM 1230 The Score ESPN Radio, Rejoice 1400 WSMY AM & WNVN TV 20. First Media Radio Station’s goal is to provide entrainment, music and information to the people of the Roanoke Valley and Southside Virginia. First Media Radio is known for being in the community, and helping out many of the areas non-profit organizations and schools. First Media Radio's Operations Manager and Program Director C.J. Riddick was present to accept the award.

 

The weekly community newspaper, Commonwealth Progress, has been published in Halifax County since 1882, and has been known as Commonwealth Progress since the merger of the Scotland Neck Commonwealth and Enfield Progress in the mid-1990s. The Commonwealth Progress is currently owned by J. Marvin Shearin II. 

 

 

The Presidential Partnership Award was presented to local media outlet representatives, May 15 during commencement exercises at Halifax Community College. Pictured from left are: C.J. Riddick with First Media Radio, George Campbell with WEZU, Susan Shaw-Snow with the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer and Kristin Smith with The Daily Herald.