FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, October 23, 2009

WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN ideastream® is pleased to award Betty Cope with the Great Idea Award for her creative force which transformed public television in the 1960s from dream to reality throughout Northeast Ohio.  As founding president and general manager of WVIZ-TV, she developed an innovative multiple channel service for area schools; and originated local series about antiques, literature and compelling personalities, predating those that would become PBS favorites. Her leadership, stewardship and concept of educating through television are a continuing inspiration. 

The Great Idea Award was established to celebrate innovative and generous acts that resonate with the mission of ideastream to strengthen our communities. “Betty Cope was a seminal force in the early days of television,” said ideastream Board Chair Robert Smith. “She was the first to recognize that non-commercial TV in schools was a ‘Great Idea,’ earning her the status as a true pioneer in the Northeast Ohio broadcast landscape.”

Betty Cope, joined by her family, accepted the award Thursday, October 22 during a special reception at the Idea Center® at PlayhouseSquare.

The first Great Idea Award was presented in 2007 to the Dr. Donald J. Goodman and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund of the Cleveland Foundation for their commitment to helping further patient care and research related to cancer and cardiovascular disease in Northeast Ohio.