Stubblefield program receives two Kentucky history awards

The television program "Nathan Stubblefield Speaks" won two Kentucky History Awards. Accepting the awards are, from left, Dana Howard, public relations coordinator for the Center for Telecommunications Systems Management; Dr. Bob Lochte; Sarah Strange, Jackson Purchase Historical Society; and Dr. James Gantt, director for the Center for Telecommunications Systems Management.

The Kentucky Historical Society recognized Murray State University's Center for Telecommunications Systems Management (TSM) and Television Production with two Kentucky History Awards.

Both awards recognized the television program "Nathan Stubblefield Speaks," the centerpiece of a year-long commemoration by TSM of Nathan B. Stubblefield's wireless telephone patent issued in 1908.

TSM won the Community History Awards for the commemoration. "Nathan Stubblefield Speaks" won a Certificate of Commendation for Audiovisual or Oral History Project.

Sarah Strange, president of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society, nominated Murray State for the awards and accepted them at the March awards banquet in Frankfort.

Jeremy McKeel produced and directed the program which stars Bob Valentine as Nathan Stubblefield, the well-known wireless telephone inventor from Murray.

Dr. Bob Lochte adapted the script from his book on Stubblefield and Dan Knowles of Paris, Tenn., provided the traditional and original banjo music for the soundtrack.

In addition to being aired over all of the KET channels, it has been shown in more than 25 cities though PBS syndication.

Valentine and McKeel are instructors in the JMC Department while Lochte serves as professor and chairman.