UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Robert Johnson, a Penn State junior majoring in meteorology and atmospheric science, earned first place in the television weathercaster category at the annual Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of Media Arts competition, held April 8-9 in Las Vegas. The awards ceremony took place during this year’s National Association of Broadcasters’ NAB Show. For more than 60 years the BEA has worked with NAB in creating the next generation of media professionals.

“I am so honored to receive this award,” Johnson said. “I have wanted to be a meteorologist ever since I was a kid. I am grateful to Penn State for providing opportunities that allow me to hone my craft, gain more knowledge of the atmosphere — and hopefully — inspire others.”

The television weathercaster category showcases weather anchoring segments from student/university anchored newscasts, not from professional stations. Johnson served as a weather anchor for Penn State’s student-produced newscast, the “Centre County Report,” a half-hour news program produced each week during the academic year by Penn State students.

Johnson won first place in the nation for a series of weather broadcasts produced for the newscast. During his time with the Centre County Report, Johnson guided viewers through 2017’s infamous hurricane season which included devastating storms such as Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma.

This year's Festival of Media Arts competition attracted more than 1,540 entries from 175 colleges and universities.

The BEA is the premiere international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production, and career advancement for educators, students and professionals. The Festival of Media Arts, an international refereed exhibition of faculty creative activities and a national showcase for student work, seeks to enhance and extend creative activities, teaching and professional standards in broadcasting and other forms of electronically mediated communication.