Jacob Hitz, Shippensburg University class of 2023, has received a nomination for a Student Production Award Crystal Pillar in the category of College/University Student Production – Talent, the collegiate version of an Emmy® from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The nominees were announced August 5 by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Hitz, a native of Newmanstown, is the only student from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education to be nominated. He was nominated along with four students from Temple University and one student from Penn State University.

His nomination is the latest for Shippensburg University Television (SUTV), a student-run organization which has consistently been recognized for its production and on-air talent over the last two decades.

“Being nominated is truly an honor, and something I never anticipated when I came to Shippensburg a year ago,” Hitz said. “It couldn’t have happened without the rest of the crew at SUTV, who have helped me in so many ways over the last year in becoming better while on-air, and in my preparation before broadcasts.”

Hitz served as the lead play-by-play voice for SUTV sporting events in 2019-20 and was also a fixture on weekly newscasts.

Hitz added, “My experience at Ship and with SUTV has been incredible, and I never expected to achieve this much in such little time. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity and I’ve had an incredible time since. I’ve also been lucky to have some great talent with me on-air, which I think helps brings the best part of me out during a broadcast. Without them, I don’t think this could’ve happened.”

Michael Gardner, director of broadcasting, said of Hitz, “He is one of the most prepared commentators I have ever worked with, including paid professionals. You can hear the hours of hard work and content preparation when you listen to Jacob call a game. It is no surprise to me that he was nominated for a Student Production Crystal Pillar Award. Jacob has a very bright future.”

Shippensburg’s Communication/Journalism program is the only one in the State System with accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

SUTV News produces a live news, weather and sports program every Thursday night at 7 p.m. that airs on Comcast channel 21 and campus channel 82. SUTV also produces and airs special events and sports contests.

The 2020 Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy® Awards ceremony will be held virtually on Sept. 19, 2020.

The full list of nominees is available at https://natasmid-atlantic.org/students/collegeuniversity/2020-college-university-student-nominees/.