Awards honor creative excellence of Clemson video staff

Published: June 12, 2012

CLEMSON — Four national organizations have recognized Clemson University Video Production Services with a total of six honors for excellence in television and video production.

The Southeast chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated the nature series “Expeditions with Patrick McMillan” for two Emmy Awards for outstanding achievement in television programming. The Emmy competition is the most prestigious in television and video production.

McMillan won an Emmy award for outstanding television host. The episode “An Island Called California” was nominated for outstanding magazine program. The 30-minute program explores the diversity of plant and animal life on the coasts and in the scrublands, deserts and mountains of San Diego County. Sharing the honor are producer/host Patrick McMillan, videographer/director David White, videographer Ed Pivorun, sound engineer Scott Smith, animator Paul Ruszkowski and associate producer Matthew Johnson.

The national Association for Communication Excellence honored Ruszkowski with gold and silver awards for two video productions. The gold award recognizes an 11-minute video introducing the “Intelligent River” remote-sensing technology to provide real-time data on water quality and flow rate along the entire length of the Savannah River. (See related article). The silver award recognizes a four-minute video showcasing South Carolina agriculture and how Clemson University Public Service and Agriculture programs enhance the economic viability of the state’s largest industry.

The International Academy of Fine Arts presented Ruszkowski with a Communicator Award of Distinction for his billboard design promoting Carolina Clear, a Clemson Extension program that informs South Carolina citizens about their role in reducing water pollution.

RecycleMania, a national video competition among more than 600 universities presented Ruszkowski with the Judge’s Award for producing “The Spirit of Recycling at Clemson,” a one-minute video promoting recycling among Clemson students.

END