WVUT-TV wins first place at 2026 Public Media Awards

WVUT-TV Education and Community Outreach Coordinator Allyson Bowers (right) accepts WVUT-TV's Public Media Award at a gala on Sept. 13 in New Orleans.

September 28, 2026

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University's WVUT-TV has earned national recognition in the 58th annual Public Media Awards, presented by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA).

The awards recognize the exceptional achievements of member stations in community engagement, content, education, and marketing and communications. WVUT-TV won first place in the Educational Resources for the Community category with the station’s “Part of This Neighborhood” video series.

"Part Of This Neighborhood" is an engaging educational series designed to introduce children to the many careers and people that make up the world around them and help them explore the important roles people play in their communities. The series debuted at a premiere event at the Red and Lothian Skelton Gallery of Fine Art in June.

By securing this prestigious honor on a competitive national level, WVUT-TV illustrates its standing as a leader in educational television and community broadcasting.

WVUT-TV and WVUB-FM Director of Operations and General Manager Kevin Watson said, “Winning top honors in the NETA Public Media Awards is a tremendous achievement, and our entire team at WVUT-TV is thrilled to be recognized among the best in public media. We are proud of the unquestionable impact “Part of This Neighborhood” makes every day. The series empowers local children to explore potential careers, embrace diversity, and realize that every path to an excellent future is within their reach."

Each episode features individuals from various professions, plus highlights careers across different fields and education levels, including a dentist, podcaster, lineman, robotics engineer, baker, semi truck driver and others. The award-winning series celebrates diversity by including people of different abilities, backgrounds, experiences, and paths to success, showing youth that there are many different ways to build a remarkable future.

WVUT-TV Education and Community Outreach Coordinator and Executive Producer of "Part of This Neighborhood" Allyson Bowers accepted the award on the station’s behalf at the Public Media Awards Gala in New Orleans on Sept. 13.

Awards are judged by a group of expert panelists from within the public media system, as well as industry professionals working outside of public media. NETA is a professional association representing more than 300 member stations in nearly every state, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

Watch Part of This Neighborhood at wvut.org/part-of-this-neighborhood/

###