Watch WSIU’s award-winning “Tedrick Welcome Center” entry, which earned the 2026 Downstate Silver Dome Award for Best Continuing Coverage. The entry features coverage from Season 1 of the SIU Foundation’s The Impact Report, chronicling the development, construction and opening of the Tedrick Welcome Center.
By Britni Bateman
WSIU Public Broadcasting earned a 2026 Downstate Silver Dome Award for its coverage of the Tedrick Welcome Center featured during Season 1 of the SIU Foundation’s television series, The Impact Report.
The Illinois Broadcasters Association recognized WSIU in the Best Continuing Coverage category for “Tedrick Welcome Center,” honoring the ongoing storytelling surrounding the development, construction and opening of the new facility at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The award was presented Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.
The annual Downstate Silver Dome Awards recognize outstanding achievement and excellence in radio and television broadcasting across downstate Illinois. WSIU’s recognition highlights its collaboration with the SIU Foundation to share stories of philanthropy, progress and impact across the university.
The team credited for the winning coverage includes Matt Kupec, Jeff Gleim, Britni Bateman, Anna Twomey and Prescott Doll of the SIU Foundation, along with Larry Hunter, Abby Asher, Darryl Moses, Paula Earls, Reggie Cosey and WSIU’s student production team.
“Great storytelling has the power to connect people to SIU and remind them why this university matters,” said Matt Kupec, CEO of the SIU Foundation. “We have built something special with The Impact Report, giving us a platform to showcase the incredible people, ideas and generosity driving SIU forward. This recognition reflects our creativity and hard work, as well as the strength of our partnership with WSIU.”
The Silver Dome Awards also recognized members of The Impact Report team in two individual categories. Britni Bateman, SIU Foundation assistant vice chancellor for development and alumni communications and chief marketing officer, was a finalist for Best TV Reporter, while cinematographer Prescott Doll was a finalist for Best Videographer.
WSIU also earned finalist recognition for “Illinois Backroads” in the Best Locally Produced TV Program, Series or Documentary category.
The Illinois Broadcasters Association presents the Silver Dome Awards to recognize outstanding achievement in Illinois broadcasting. For more than 70 years, the association has advocated for Illinois broadcasters and supported radio and television stations throughout the state.
“WSIU has always been committed to telling meaningful stories about the people and communities we serve,” said Larry Hunter, interim executive director of WSIU Public Broadcasting. “Our partnership with the SIU Foundation allows us to bring even more of those stories to viewers across the region. This recognition reflects the creativity, collaboration and commitment that go into producing programming that connects our audiences with SIU and Southern Illinois.”
Telling the stories of SIU
The SIU Foundation launched The Impact Report in collaboration with WSIU to showcase the people, programs and philanthropy moving SIU forward.
Anna Twomey, executive producer and host of The Impact Report, leads the 30-minute television series highlighting innovation, growth and opportunity across SIU and the region. Episodes take viewers behind the scenes of groundbreaking research, campus transformation, student success, philanthropy and community impact.
“From the beginning, we wanted The Impact Report to show people what is happening at SIU in a way that feels authentic, engaging and personal,” Twomey said. “There are so many remarkable stories here, and we have the opportunity to meet the people behind them and bring their work to life. Winning a Silver Dome Award in our first season is incredibly meaningful, and I’m proud of what our team and our partners at WSIU have built together.”
Season 1 featured more than 140 stories across 12 episodes, including extensive coverage of the Tedrick Welcome Center as the project progressed from construction to its grand opening in May 2026.
The 44,000-square-foot Tedrick Welcome Center serves as the university’s front door, welcoming prospective students, families, alumni, donors and visitors. The facility features interactive digital experiences that tell the story of SIU and houses the headquarters of the SIU Foundation.
The SIU Foundation funded the facility entirely through a combination of Foundation reserves, fundraising and borrowing, including a $6 million leadership gift from Roger and Sally Tedrick. No taxpayer dollars, tuition revenue, student fees or state funds were used to construct the Tedrick Welcome Center.
The Impact Report also highlights SIU’s position as a Research 1 institution and an Opportunity University while showing how philanthropy supports students, faculty, research, facilities and communities throughout Southern Illinois.
New episodes of The Impact Report air monthly on WSIU Public Television. View previous episodes at siuf.org/impact-report.
Support WSIU and help public broadcasting continue sharing stories that inform, educate and connect communities throughout the region. Make a gift online at siuf.org/wsiu.