MISHAWAKA – Which member of WVPE’s team won an award this week? Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Tom Labuzienski, an underwriting consultant with 88.1 WVPE Public Radio, received the honor as one of the “Faces of Tourism” at the 2018 Visit South Bend Mishawaka Tourism Awards Reception. The award honors individuals dedicated to promoting the area and having "a positive impact"
on the local tourism industry:
The popular Faces of Tourism series honors those who continually go above and beyond to ensure their customers/clients have the best visitor experience possible while in South Bend Mishawaka.
WVPE’s Operations Manager Tony Krabill has high praise for Labuzienski, “Tom works tirelessly in forging partnerships with local organizations and businesses to help bring national public media programs to the area, including Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! (twice), Science Friday, and Big Picture Science.” Krabill continues, “He also worked with community partners to develop ‘South Bend Stories’ for the SB 150 celebrations and its extension, ‘Michiana Stories.’ There isn't a day that goes by that Tom doesn't offer an idea for ways WVPE can better serve the Michiana community.”
In February 2018, WVPE’s team, lead by Labuzienski (think Michael Jordan during 90s Bulls dynasty), brought the NPR Weekly News Quiz, “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell me!” back to the area for a second time in five years. Not only was the program welcomed by a sellout crowd, but over six million people listened to the program across the country. Featuring Mayor Pete Buttigieg as the guest for the “Not My Job” segment, the program at times seemed to resemble a long form promotion for the city of South Bend.
Tom’s tireless work ethic and supreme professionalism will continue to do great things for the South Bend area and for his favorite radio station, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio, for years to come.