EAU CLAIRE — A University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire student has been named a finalist in the radio competition of the national Hearst Journalism Awards Program.
          Jodi Becker, a senior from Germantown, earned 10th place in the hard news competition by submitting a tape containing two stories from the Eau Claire County area.
          “The hardest thing for me to do was to choose what to put in,” Becker said. “I tried to pick what was unique to Wisconsin and the area.”
          The first story was about home heating costs this winter and why the costs were so high. She also gave energy-saving tips.
          The second story included sound bites of U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl and state Sen. Alice Clausing speaking on the UW-Stout campus. Kohl and Clausing spoke about the importance of higher education and getting out the vote.
          Becker thinks working part time for WAXX/WAYY and having a news director take a hands-on approach to her work are what have helped her to become a good reporter at her age.
          “Ms. Becker is going to be a great reporter,” said Henry Lippold, professor of communication and journalism. “She’s fearless, reads widely and isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions. She has the drive and talent for a highly successful professional career.”
          Becker and the university each will receive a $500 grant. Becker’s name and picture also will be published in the annual yearbook that will be distributed to the accredited schools and departments of journalism and communication that submitted entries and to the top 20 people in the competition.
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Updated: April 9, 2001