ANN ARBOR—Several programs developed and supported by the University of Michigan won top awards at the 2006 meeting of the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The nonprofit professional association that serves the television community throughout the state of Michigan through leadership and encouraging excellence in the industry found these U-M productions to be the top winners in their categories. The ceremony was held June 17 in Novi.

And the winners are:

“And They Flew: The Story of Mosaic Youth Theatre” Documentary/Cultural. Produced and directed by Katherine Weider of U-M’s School of Art & Design for WFUM, this documentary spends a year behind the curtain, witnessing young people’s grueling process as they create an original play based on their own lives. With Michigan Television’s support, the program will be aired on PBS stations across the country on Sept. 3.

“The Last Mile: Polio, Salk and Tommy Francis” Health/Science Program Feature/Segment. Epidemiologist Francis was in charge of analyzing the field trials of the Salk Polio Vaccine. From the U-M campus in 1955, Francis announced to the world the positive results of the trials” ” The vaccine works. ” Produced by Chris Cook for U-M TV2.

“Raoul Wallenberg: One Person Can Make a Difference” Service Program/Segment. Wallenberg, a graduate of U-M’s College of Architecture, is credited with helping to save the lives of tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews condemned by the Nazis during World War II. Produced by Pat McCune of U-M’s Rackham Graduate School and Harvey and Noah Ovshinsky for WFUM.

“Birth of a Playwright: Arthur Miller at Michigan” Nostalgia Program Feature/Segment and Historic/Cultural Program Feature/Segment. The project revolves around the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, how and why he chose U-M and the development of his craft while at the University. Produced by Chris Cook for U-M TV2.

“Wright’s Little Gem” Writer Short Form. This short film chronicles a house in Oakland County, Mich., designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and constructed by two Detroit teachers. Gary Ewell of WFUM wrote and produced the work for WFUM.

Related Links:

• WFUM-TV
• U-M TV2