"Francis Tuttle is the place to fail, learn, and grow. Every course, test, and lesson matters—no matter where your career in video production leads." - Isaac Korstjens
Isaac Korstjens, a 2023 graduate of Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s Broadcast and Video Production program, has been named a recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Journalism—a remarkable achievement just years after completing his training.
The Walter Cronkite Award honors outstanding journalists for their groundbreaking work that advances the profession. This year’s honorees include accomplished journalists from major national outlets such as NBC, CBS News, PBS Newshour, and MSNBC. Korstjens’s selection places him among this elite group and highlights the exceptional talent emerging from Oklahoma’s career and technology education programs.
"I was overwhelmed when we found out we had won," Korstjens said. "Learning we would be flown to Washington, D.C., meet journalism legends, and receive an award named after one of the most respected figures in broadcast history was truly surreal."
Korstjens secured his position at Oklahoma City’s KFOR television station through connections he built during his time at Francis Tuttle. He credits the program’s hands-on, rigorous training for fully preparing him to compete and succeed in the professional world.
"My instructors pushed me to experiment, take risks, and try different techniques," Korstjens said. "Francis Tuttle is the place to fail, learn, and grow. Every course, test, and lesson matters—no matter where your career in video production leads. The program gave me the technical skills, confidence, and work ethic I needed to step into a demanding newsroom environment right out of school."
Korstjens’s early career success demonstrates the power of Francis Tuttle’s career-focused education in launching graduates into high-impact roles in media and journalism.
The Cronkite Awards ceremony takes place on Feb. 24 in Phoenix, Arizona.