In spring 2012, a group of area communication and broadcast specialists gathered in Daybreak TV’s studio in downtown Buffalo, N.Y. as guest jurors for the prestigious Gabriel Awards. Daybreak TV Productions has assisted in Gabriel judging for the last fifteen years and has been awarded four Gabriel’s for TV production. This year five separate categories were judged.

            The 2012 Gabriel Awards blue ribbon guest jurors include Barbara Irwin – Professor & Chair Communications Studies Canisius College; Lois Ringle- former Program Director WUTV Fox network, Inductee BBA Hall of Fame ; Joe D. Schlaerth –News Director  WIVB/WNLO-TV, Lin Media; Fr. Paul D. Seil- Pastor St. Bernadette’s Church, Our Daily Bread Host; Ron Smith- Professor and Interim Associate Dean, School of Arts and Humanities, Communication Department -Buffalo State College

            The Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals is the U.S. affiliate of SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. Members work in Catholic radio/TV Production, diocesan communications, internet and new technologies, film studies and media literacy, academic communications, distance learning, PR, media relations, and publishing.           

         For more than 40 years, the Catholic Academy has sponsored the Gabriel Awards, designed to honor works of excellence in broadcasting- programs, features, spots and stations which serve viewers and listeners through the positive, creative treatment of concerns of humankind.

            The Catholic Academy encourages producers and broadcasters to bring programming to local communities in hopes that it will enhance the lives of those around them. The Catholic Academy is proud to sponsor the Gabriel Awards, recognizing the best in broadcasting and film that uplifts the human spirit.