Temple University’s student-produced newscast earns one of broadcast journalism’s most prestigious honors
Temple Update, the student-produced news program airing on Temple University Television (TUTV), has been named the 2026 Student Edward R. Murrow Award winner for Excellence in Video Newscast by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA).
The national honor recognizes the November 13, 2025 edition of Temple Update, anchored by Kevin Gruen and Sydney Humes, with Aidan Cairns reporting sports and Mariam Elias-Danjuma delivering weather. The winning newscast was led by Executive Producers Peter Jaroff and Kristina Hammerschmidt. Following Jaroff’s retirement, Hammerschmidt now leads the Temple Update team as Executive Producer.
The winning newscast can be viewed here:
The Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious honors in broadcast and digital journalism. Presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) since 1971, the awards recognize journalism that demonstrates technical excellence, adheres to the RTDNA Code of Ethics and exemplifies journalism’s importance as a service to the community.
Student Murrow Awards are particularly selective. Entries are judged at the national level, with just one individual or student team honored in each of eight categories. Winners are recognized alongside the profession’s leading journalists at the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala.
For Temple Update, the award represents another significant national recognition for a program that gives Temple students the opportunity to experience the demands and responsibilities of a professional television newsroom while still in college.
Produced by students from Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication, Temple Update puts students in virtually every role required to produce a live television newscast, from anchors and reporters to producers, photographers, editors, directors and technical crew. Students cover stories across Temple University and the Philadelphia region while working under real-world deadlines and professional broadcast standards.
The Murrow recognition also reflects the mentorship behind Temple Update, which empowers students to take ownership of the editorial and production process while learning from experienced faculty and industry professionals.
Named for legendary broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, the awards celebrate work that reflects the standards of excellence he established for the profession. RTDNA, founded in 1946, is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to broadcast and digital journalism and works to promote and protect responsible journalism, defend First Amendment rights and encourage ethical standards and newsroom leadership.
For the students behind Temple Update, earning a national Murrow Award places their work alongside some of the very best student journalism being produced in the country—and reinforces the value of learning journalism by actually doing it. The 2026 National and Student Edward R. Murrow Award winners will be honored at the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on October 12, 2026, at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Congratulations to the entire Temple Update team on this extraordinary national achievement.
