Troy Public Radio host wins Best Public Affairs Program

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Troy Public Radio (TPR) host Carolyn Hutcheson is being recognized with a prestigious award.

Hutcheson is now the proud recipient of one of the highest honors a broadcaster can receive. The Best Public Affairs Program is awarded by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. Hutcheson is now the latest Alabama broadcaster to win it.

Hutcheson says the award isn’t just about her but gives credit to her guests and listeners “This award means I have great guests,” Hutcheson said. “I’m able to follow my curiosity into a lot of avenues.

“I’m always thinking about the listeners. They’re facing an economy that’s uncertain along with many other uncertainties. I like to program for my listeners to help them. I also like to explore the arts. We’ve been able to do that under the public affairs umbrella.”

LISTEN: Click here to listen to In Focus with Carolyn Hutcheson

Although Hutcheson is unwilling to take the credit, TPR Director, Kyle Gassiott says he owes his start at TPR to her.

“As somebody who represents Troy Public Radio, there’s nobody better,” Gassiott said. “She’s part of the reason I joined Troy Public Radio because she interviewed me when I moved to the area.”

Hutcheson’s colleagues like TPR Host, Ann Kenda, also believe that she has earned the recognition.

“I’m really excited for her because she really deserves this honor,” Kenda said. “She’s on the air every day with an interesting topic, so I think the Alabama Broadcasters Association really saw how valuable her work is.”

Hutcheson says she’s learned to pursue her curiosity and wants her listeners to do the same.

“I hope that my listeners are learning along with me,” Hutcheson said. “To me, it’s all about education and I hope that my listeners are being educated. Troy University is about education; I consider my program an educational type of program. So, to me, it all goes together.”

This isn’t the first time Hutcheson’s program has received an award. Her program has also won awards from the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of Public Safety.

“In focus with Carolyn Hutcheson” airs on Troy Public Radio at 12:40 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 12:45 p.m. on Friday. Readers can also listen to “In Focus” anywhere where you listen to podcasts.