Wilbur Awards
 The Religion Communicators Council and its members promote excellence in communicating religious faith and values in the public arena and encourage understanding among faith groups on a national level. Testaments to our goal of excellence are the Wilbur Awards.
These awards recognize the work of individuals in secular media who communicate religious issues, values and themes with the utmost professionalism, fairness and honesty.
David Brown to host 2012 Wilbur Awards
 Rev. David W. Brown has founded, developed and owned advertising agencies for two decades. Brown is also the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of WURD Radio, LLC, the only African American-owned independent radio station in the state of Pennsylvania.
Brown is a past recipient of the Speaker of the Year by the Pennsylvania Communication Society – the first African American to receive this honor in more than 20 years, and is the 2007 Inductee to the Public Relations Hall of Fame by the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Brown has served over his career as both the President of the Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) Philadelphia chapter and the Philadelphia Advertising Club.
A graduate of Duquesne University, Rev. David W. Brown received his Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) with a focus on Public Policy from the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now known as the Palmer Theological Seminary).
He currently serves as a member of the ministry staff at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church in Philadelphia). Brown lives in Turnersville, NJ with his wife, Sharon, and two daughters – Candace, and Lauren.
2012 Wilbur Award Promo
2012 Wilbur Award promo. Produced by Andrew B. Rawls.
Video and Photos from 2011 Wilbur Awards Banquet
Video collage showing each of the 2011 Wilbur Award winners receiving their trophy. Produced by Andrew B. Rawls.
 Coordinator and Producer of the Wilbur Awards
Shirley Struchen (left) is Executive Director of the Religion Communicators Council and Coordinator of the 2011 Wilbur Awards.
Andrew Rawls (right) is the producer of the annual Wilbur Awards.
Photo courtesy of Andy Rawls
 Wilbur Awards Host
Matt Mosler, co-host of Arkansas' fastest growing morning TV morning show KARK 4 Today, served as host of the RCC Wilbur Awards, April 2, at the RCC2011 Convention in Little Rock.
Matt is a syndicated columnist, television and radio personality, speaker, and singer.
Photo by George Conklin
 Newspapers, Other
The Courier-Journal.
"Mennonites Preach and Practice Forgiveness,"
Peter Smith (right).
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Radio: Single Program
Under the Sun on WLRN, Miami.
"Patients and Healers" and "Faith in the Aftermath."
Dan Grech and Alicia Zuckerman, co-Hosts and senior producers; Ruth Morris and Kenny Malone, producers.
Alicia Zuckerman (left), Dan Grech (center), and Kenny Malone (right) accepted their award via video.
Photo courtesy of Andy Rawls from video
 Newspapers, National
Christian Science Monitor.
"Raised in Faith: Parents Take a Stronger Role in Helping Forge Religious Beliefs,"
G. Jeffrey MacDonald (right).
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Television & Cable: Local News
KSPR-TV: Springfield, Missouri.
"Pathways of Prayer,"
Joe Daues (right) and Paul McReynolds, producers.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Books, Nonfiction
American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us.
Robert D. Putnam and David E. Campbell, Simon & Schuster, publisher.
David E. Campbell accepted via video.
Photo courtesy of Andy Rawls from video
 Radio: Series
Tapestry, by CBC Radio (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
"Sacred Ground,"
Nicola Luksic, Erin Pettit, producers, Mary Hynes (right), host.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Books, Fiction
The Walk.
Richard Paul Evans, (right).
Simon & Schuster, publisher.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Television & Cable: Documentary
Kindling Group.
"The Calling,"
Danny Alpert, series director and executive producer.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Television & Cable: Documentary
CBS: Religion and Culture Series. "Haiti: Religion's Response to Disaster."
Liz (Elizabeth) Kineke (right), producer; John T. Blessington, executive producer.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Magazines, editorial
Chris Mooney,
Playboy, "The Born-Again Scientist."
Chris Mooney accepted via video.
Photo courtesy of Andy Rawls from video
 Blogs
"Faith and Works: Kentucky's and Indiana's Diverse Religious Scene Blog,"
Peter Smith (right).
Courier-Journal.com.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Television and cable, drama
"Amish Grace,"
Produced by Kyle A. Clark and Marta M. Mobley and executive producer Larry A. Thompson; directed by Gregg Champion; and written by Sylvie White and Teena Booth.
Larry A. Thompson accepted via video.
Photo courtesy of Andy Rawls from video
 Magazines, Top 15
Vanity Fair
"The New Commandments,"
Christopher Hitchens.
David Friend (right), editor of creative development for Vanity Fair accepted the award on behalf of Christopher Hitchens. Friend won a Wilbur in 1992 for his work for Life Magazine.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Television & Cable: National News
CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. "Ruby Bridges,"
Michelle Miller (right), correspondent; Rick Kaplan, executive producer; Kim Godwin, Jack Renaud, and Mike Cesario, producers; Katie Couric, anchor and managing editor.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Multimedia or Online Videos
www.whatsyourcalling.org
Danny Alpert, series director and executive producer.
Kindling Group.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 Feature Film – Documentary
"Rainbow Town: The Documentary" - a true story of a Liberian Orphanage
Lauren Selmon Roberts (center), director, video, editor, Will Roberts, audio, Amy Elrod (right), still photography.
Deb Christian, president of the Religion Communicators Council, presents the award.
Photo by George Conklin
 "Rainbow Town: The Documentary" - a true story of a Liberian Orphanage
Two of the children adopted from the Liberian Orphanage attended the Wilbur Awards Banquet. Left to right: Amy Elrod, Lauren Selmon Roberts, Adam Selmon, Christiana Selmon.
Photo by George Conklin
Previous Award Winners
2011 (for work completed in 2010)
2010 (for work completed in 2009)
2009 (for work completed in 2008)
2008 (for work completed in 2007)
2007 (for work completed in 2006)
2006 (for work completed in 2005)
2005 (for work completed in 2004)
2004 (for work completed in 2003)
For more information about the Religion Communicators Council or to become a member, please contact:
Shirley Struchen
Phone: 212-870-2402
E-mail: sstruchen@rcn.com
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