Michael Riecke

Fall 2025 Schedule:

• BRC 329 800 Broadcast News Reporting Mon/Wed 3:00 - 4:20 pm Hewitt 102
• BRC 329 LAB  Broadcast News Reporting Lab  Wed 4:35-5:30 pm Hewitt 102
• BRC 362 ONL Out on TV: LGBTQ+Portrayals  ONLINE
• CMA 496 800 Student Media Leadership  WTOP

Department Chair and Associate Professor of Broadcasting and Digital Media, Michael Riecke joined the SUNY Oswego faculty in 2011 after spending nearly a decade in television and digital news as an award-winning reporter, producer, and anchor.

In addition to his teaching, scholarly, and creative endeavors, Prof. Riecke also serves as the advisor to the campus television station, WTOP-TV, and co-coordinates the College of Communication, Media, and the Arts Hollywood POV program. He's a member of the Broadcast Education Association, and serves as president of the Syracuse Press Club.

Riecke's career in media began on New Year's Eve 1999 at WIVT-TV, the ABC affiliate in Binghamton, NY where he served as a part-time multimedia journalist and weekend anchor.  Riecke transferred to WIVT's sister station, WSYR-TV (formally WIXT) in January 2001 where he began as a general assignment reporter. During his 7.5 years at WSYR, Riecke's profile and responsibilities grew as he moved from weekend anchor and producer, to digital content producer, and eventually to co-anchor of station's weekday morning newscast, "The Morning News".

Riecke's tenure as a reporter took him around the world. He covered the 2004 tsunami from the battered shores of Sri Lanka. He also provided live coverage from the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. Riecke's work has received multiple honors from the Associated Press, the New York State Broadcasters Association, and the Syracuse Press Club.

Prof. Riecke earned his bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. 

Michael completed his graduate work at Le Moyne College, where he studied adult education.

Journalism and Production Honors and Awards  

National Awards: 

Best of Competition, Sports Feature Short Form, Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts: “Girl’s Wrestling Expands,” Reporter/Producer (March 2025).

Best of Competition, Radio Feature News, Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts: “Billy’s Circus,” Reporter/Producer (March 2023). 

Award of Excellence, Faculty Audio, Broadcast Education Association On-Location Faculty Creative Competition and Showcase: “Amended in Action Episode 1: For Changemakers, By Changemakers,” Reporter/Producer (October 2021). 

Best of Festival King Foundation Award, Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts: “As you shelter in place, don’t forget about your car,” Reporter/Producer (April 2021). 

Best of Competition, Radio Feature News, Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts: “As you shelter in place, don’t forget about your car,” Reporter/Producer (March 2021). 

Best of Competition, Radio Hard News, Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts: “New York’s commitment to end AIDS epidemic by 2020 not forgotten amid COVID-19,” Reporter/Producer (March 2021).

Gold Prize, Longform Digital Video, Educational Advertising Awards: “Broadcasting at SUNY Oswego: Become a Part of Our Legacy,” Producer/Writer/Director (March 2021). 

Best of Show, Faculty Audio, Broadcast Education Association On-Location Faculty Creative Competition and Showcase: “As theaters cancel summer seasons, creative spirit carries on,” Reporter/Producer (October 2020). 

State and Regional Awards: 

First Place, Television/Video Sports Story, Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Awards: “Girls’ Wrestling Expands,” Reporter/Producer/Editor (May 2025) 

First Place, Radio Special Program, Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Awards: “Energizing CNY,” Host/Executive Producer/Editor (May 2024) 

Outstanding Podcast, New York State Broadcaster’s Association Excellence in Broadcasting Awards: “Amended in Action,” Host/Executive Producer (September 2022). 

First  Place, Radio/Podcast News Feature, Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Awards: “Pandemic puts New York’s college towns at risk of losing population, funding,” Reporter/Producer (September 2021).

Third Place, Radio/Podcast Spot News, Syracuse Press Club Professional Recognition Awards: “Broken window won’t keep 130-year-old downtown store from reopening,” Reporter/Producer (September 2021).  

Education 

• M.S. Education, Le Moyne College
• B.S. Broadcast Journalism, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication, Syracuse University