From Studio B to the Silver Circle: Jeremy Hubbard’s Emmy award-winning journey
Before he was reporting from war zones, covering historic events or earning 62 Emmy Awards, Jeremy Hubbard ’96 was learning to think on his feet in Studio B.
Three decades after anchoring Wichita State’s student-produced live newscast, the 1996 graduate has been inducted into the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle.
For Hubbard, now the lead anchor at FOX31 Denver, the recognition is about far more than awards. “I think it’s validation from your peers that you’ve contributed in a way that isn’t strictly limited to TV journalism,” he said. “You’ve helped make the community a better place to live. You’ve shared important stories, and hopefully you’ve done the right thing over the course of your career.”
When it came time for college, Wichita State stood out because of the opportunity to gain real-world experience while still a student.
One of those opportunities was Studio B, Wichita State’s student-produced live television newscast. As one of the program’s early anchors, Hubbard learned firsthand what it takes to deliver the news under pressure. “Every time I think about Studio B, I smile,” Hubbard said. “What better training for the real world of TV news than to actually be live?”
The experience proved invaluable. While still a student, Hubbard began working at KWCH Channel 12 in Wichita and was hired as a reporter upon graduation. From there, his career took him to Kansas City, back to his home state of Colorado, and eventually to ABC News.
Hubbard has traveled to more than 90 countries and covered some of the world’s biggest stories, but when asked what stands out most, he doesn’t point to major headlines or his 62 Emmy Awards.
He points to people.
A recent assignment in Malawi, where he followed volunteers bringing clean drinking water to rural villages, remains one of the most meaningful stories of his career. “Those are the stories that stick with me,” he said. “The ones that put my own problems into perspective.”
That people-first mindset extends beyond the newsroom. Hubbard and his wife, Taunia Hottman ‘97, both graduates of Wichita State’s Elliott School of Communication, established the Jeremy Hubbard & Taunia Hottman Scholarship in Communication to help Wichita State students pursue their goals.
“We both struggled to get through school financially,” Hubbard said. “The idea that we’ve had some success and are in a position to give back was very appealing. It puts a smile on your face knowing you’re helping someone get through college and launch a successful career.”
More than 30 years after his days in Studio B, Hubbard remains proud to call himself a Shocker. “I still wear the school logo with pride,” he said.
From Studio B to ABC News to the Silver Circle, Hubbard’s journey is a testament to the power of hands-on learning, dedicated mentors and a willingness to say yes to what comes next. Those experiences helped shape an award-winning journalist, and now, he’s helping shape the futures of the next generation of Shockers.
