Joel Willer Award

Last Updated on November 9, 2024 by Chris Keppler

The Joel Willer Award is named for one of CBI’s most influential members, and is presented in recognition for exceptional dedication and service to student electronic media.

Joel Willer was a founding member of CBI and part of its initial steering committee following several meetings at the CMA convention in Kansas City in Fall 1998. Willer was the author of the first draft of the CBI constitution and, with Will Robedee, was a major cog in CBI’s legal fight and eventual settlement with SoundExchange in Non-Commercial Educational Webcaster rates and recordkeeping terms, which is still in effect today. A regular panelist at the national convention on those same legal matters until his retirement, Willer remains a vital resource for the organization with well-researched and cited answers to the many legal questions asked on the listserv by the membership.

Nominations for the 2024 Joel Willer award are now open through May 15. Nominees are not limited to active CBI members or advisers but any staff, faculty, campus administrator or professional who has made a substantial impact on student electronic media through teaching, advocacy, promotions or other means. For more information, email the Awards Coordinator at awards@askcbi.org.

Previous honorees
2012: Joel Willer, University of Louisiana at Monroe
2014: Will Robedee, Rice University
2015: Warren “Koz” Kozireski, State University of New York at Brockport
2016: Greg Weston, University of Pittsburgh
2017: Chris Wheatley, Ithaca College
2020: Rob Quicke, William Paterson University
2021: Anabella Poland, Montclair State University
2022: Greg Newton, Ohio University
2023: David Oxenford, Wilkinson, Barker & Knauer, LLP
2024: No Recipient