ST. PAUL, Minn., May 30, 2025 – University of Northwestern – St. Paul’s theMEL.fm has been named the recipient of Christian Music Broadcasters’ (CMB) University Radio Station of the Year award. The station received the honor at CMB’s annual Momentum conference in Orlando in May. Students Hannah Bauer ’26, Jaden Nybakken ’25, Kaycee ’25 and Kendra ’25 Greisinger, and Rachel Wilcox ’27 were in attendance to accept the award.
This year, Northwestern won three awards including Radio Podcast of the Year awarded to Faith Podcast Network’s “Wow God Stories” podcast and the Industry Achievement Award awarded to Lisa Williams, Network Talent Coach.
Jaden Nybakken, The MEL’s General Manager commented about his experience in his acceptance speech, “Thanks to the judges and the CMB staff for giving us this opportunity not to just be here as random college students but to feel like aspiring professionals… All honor and glory to God, the Purpose for all this. He is showing each one of us our ultimate purpose.” Professor and Chair, Mark Seignious, says, “We are so thrilled and proud of our MEL students. They produce excellent media at an extraordinary level. We are thankful to CMB for honoring The MEL with this award. The Lord has done great things and we are glad (Psalm 126:3). We also deeply appreciate the numerous opportunities students have within Northwestern Media to make this possible.”
The MEL is 98.5 KTIS’ HD3 signal, reaching 7,200 listeners weekly according to Nielsen, and impacting the community around them as they aim to amplify the Gospel. The MEL’s mission statement mirrors Northwestern’s UNWavering mission: Pursue Christ. Pursue Craft. Each student is equipped to grow both in their faith and in their skills as a professional. The communication program, a part of the Department of Media Arts, shares a building with 98.5 KTIS and Faith Radio Network, part of the Northwestern Media network. The close partnership with Northwestern Media, a media network broadcasting on 105 outlets across 13 states and in 175 countries, prepares students with professional experience, internships, and real-world experience on-site.
The Department of Media Arts’ media production program prepares graduates for careers in Christian media, with many securing positions within the Northwestern Media Network. More than 15 MEL graduates earned positions within Northwestern Media in the past five years. MEL graduates have also impacted the kingdom at award-winning CMB stations such as KAXL, Spirit 92.9, KJNW, KNWS, and KJNW.
###
University of Northwestern – St. Paul (UNW) is a nondenominational, Christian university in St. Paul, Minn. With a Biblical worldview integrated into all programs, UNW provides a unique educational experience for students who want to combine faith and education. Northwestern offers more than 50 areas of study, including five master’s degrees, and online and early college programs. Northwestern Media, a ministry of the university, owns and operates 105 radio signals throughout the Midwest across 13 states with a total listenership of more than 2 million listeners. Visit unwsp.edu for more information.
