WCVB Channel 5 News Editor Ike Laughinghouse to be Inducted into the NATAS Boston/N.E. Gold Circle & Assistant News Director Gerry Wardwell to be Inducted into the Silver Circle
BOSTON, MA – October 19, 2023 – WCVB Channel 5’s news editor, photographer, and truck operator Ike Laughinghouse will be inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Boston/New England Chapter’s 2023 Gold Circle, and WCVB Assistant News Director Gerry Wardwell will be inducted into the Chapter’s Silver Circle. The prestigious Gold Circle honors individuals who have had significant contributions to the industry for fifty or more years, and the Silver Circle recognizes twenty-five years or longer of contributions.
“It is with the utmost pride and enthusiasm that I congratulate Ike for his Gold Circle honor and Gerry for his Silver Circle honor,” said Kyle I. Grimes, WCVB President and General Manager and Hearst Television Vice President, New England. “I cannot think of two more deserving individuals for such prestigious recognition by NATAS. Both have made lasting and immeasurable impacts here at WCVB and to the New England broadcast community.”
Laughinghouse and Wardwell, along with five other distinguished broadcasters, will be honored for their profound contributions to the industry at the gala celebration held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at the Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy. Fellow inductees include: GOLD - Don Carrigan, Reporter-News Center Maine and SILVER - David Burt, Station Manager-Boston City TV; Tom Griffith, News Anchor/Host-WMUR (Retired); Ralph Griswold, Videographer/Editor-WBZ; and Joanne Whitehead, Senior Director, TV Programming & Operations-CPTV.
2023 Gold Circle Inductee - Ike Laughinghouse
Ike Laughinghouse spent his entire broadcast career at WCVB starting in September 1973, and has been a valued and respected part of the team throughout his tenure. Laughinghouse graduated from Graham Junior College in May of 1973 with an associate’s degree in Mass Communications and joined Channel 5 that same year. Starting as a floor director, he has moved through the ranks as an assistant director, director, technician, and now, an editor. He was tapped early in his career to work on several iconic WCVB programs including the live, 90-minute daily show “Good Day;” the live, two-hour public affairs weekly “Sunday Open House;” the live, weekly “House Calls” medical program; “Miller’s Court” legal program; “Five All Night: Live” late night variety program; to name just a few. Laughinghouse is a beloved and respected coworker known for his professionalism, work ethic, kindness, and class. Over his distinguished career at WCVB, Laughinghouse cultivated and showcased his many talents becoming a director of many of the station’s locally produced programming as well as WCVB Newscasts including the “EyeOpener” morning news, as well as the 6PM and 11PM weekend newscasts. He was also a very seasoned photojournalist, and currently holds the role as news editor for NewsCenter 5.
Laughinghouse attended Emerson College where he studied Media Communications. In addition to being renowned for his versatile technical skills, he is regarded as a trusted friend, respected colleague, and sage mentor to many at WCVB and beyond.
2023 Silver Circle Inductee: Gerry Wardwell
Gerry Wardwell is Assistant News Director at WCVB Channel 5, Boston’s award-winning, ABC affiliate station. He has been at the Hearst-owned station since 1998 when he was hired as Executive Producer before being promoted to Managing Editor and then Assistant News Director. During his time at WCVB, Wardwell has led coverage on major events like the Boston Marathon Bombings, the capture of Whitey Bulger, the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, the deaths of Senator Edward Kennedy and Boston Mayor Tom Menino, numerous elections and the political unrest and riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. For its coverage of events like these, the legacy station has earned hundreds of major awards, including multiple National and Regional Murrows, Associated Press Station of the Year honors, National Headliners Awards, and multiple regional Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Boston/New England Chapter.
Wardwell graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College in Boston where he holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. Emerson awarded Wardwell the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. In 2016, Emerson’s Journalism Department also named an award in Wardwell’s honor. The “Gerry Wardwell Journalism Management Award” is given annually to a graduating senior aspiring for a management career in journalism.
Wardwell has made significant contributions to the broadcast industry since 1980 not only in Boston, but across the country. Wardwell honed his talents earlier in his career working as a reporter/photographer, producer and executive producer in several markets including Miami, FL; Providence, RI; Manchester, NH; Kearney, NE; and Macon, GA. He has made an indelible impact on WCVB and its employees as a leader in the newsroom and friend and has selflessly served as a mentor to countless young journalists as they launch their careers.
NATAS Boston/New England Chapter
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television, the fostering of creative leadership in the television industry, and the encouragement of excellence in artistic, educational, cultural and technical progress.
About WCVB Channel 5
WCVB is Boston’s broadcast/digital media leader, providing news, weather, sports, community service and entertainment on multiple platforms including WCVB Channel 5, wcvb.com, WCVB mobile and MeTV Boston. Founded by community leaders in 1972, WCVB is committed to its mission to serve the region with quality local content. In addition to 47 hours of NewsCenter 5 coverage each week, original offerings include Chronicle, the nation’s longest running local news magazine; CityLine, a weekly urban magazine program; and On The Record, a weekly political roundtable. WCVB, Boston’s ABC affiliate station, is owned by Hearst Television, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst, a leading media company whose global holdings include 35 television stations and two radio stations. Follow us on Facebook (wcvb5) and Twitter (@wcvb).
About Hearst Television
Hearst Television owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. Through its partnership with nearly all major networks, Hearst Television distributes national content over more than 120 video channels including programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, MY Net, MeTV, Estrella and more. The radio stations are leaders in Baltimore news/talk and rock music listenership. Its Hearst Media Production Group unit produces original programming across linear and streaming platforms for domestic and international distribution. Its Very Local app, free to download on household OTT devices and available across popular streaming services, offers 24/7 access to local news, weather and an array of local and regional programming. Hearst Television is recognized as one of the industry's premier companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service. Hearst Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst.