Wright State videographer Kris Sproles wins Regional Emmy and Ohio journalism award

Kris Sproles received a Regional Emmy Award for Video Essayist from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. (Photo by Chris Snyder)

Kris Sproles, video content producer at Wright State University, won a Regional Emmy Award and a state journalism award for stories he produced for the Wright State Newsroom.

Sproles received the Ohio Valley Emmy Award for Video Essayist from the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at its 60th anniversary gala on July 20 in Lexington, Kentucky. The chapter includes members in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.

The video essayist award recognized excellence by an individual videographer and editor who weaves together elements in the field to tell a story without a reporter, narrator or host.

Sproles, a staff member in the Office of Communications, was honored for five Newsroom stories he created:

• “Traffic jam,” which highlighted the Wright State Jazz Ensemble’s Jazz Art in Unusual Places series
• “Delicious donation,” a story about the Wright State Miracle Maker’s grilled cheese fundraiser for Dayton Children’s Hospital
• The Foodbank’s mass food distribution at the Wright State Nutter Center
• “Let’s Roll,” a feature story on Megan Faragher, Ph.D., associate professor of English, who is a member of the Gem City Roller Derby team
• “Filling the Gap,” which highlighted the Wright State grounds crew’s preparation of athletic fields for Horizon League and high school baseball and softball tournaments

Sproles also received the first-place award for Best Videographer in the Digital Media/Freelance category in the 2024 Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest.

The award honored the best visual storyteller who demonstrates excellence in online videography in spot news, general assignment or specialty reporting.

Sproles was honored for “Traffic jam,” “Delicious donation” and the mass food distribution at the Wright State Nutter Center.

“Love the hometown slice-of-life feel,” the contest judges said. “The grilled cheese segment was packed with close-up shots of the food. I think a deliberate attempt by the videographer to make their audience hungry. It worked!”

Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest was sponsored by the Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. The contest included entries from newspapers, broadcasters, radio stations, digital media, trade organizations and universities across the state.

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Since he joined the Office of Communications, Sproles has regularly received awards in Ohio’s Best Journalism Contest. He was also named the 2019 Television Photographer of the Year by the Ohio News Photographers Association.

More stories by the Office of Communications can be found in the Wright State Newsroom and youtube.com/WrightStateU.