UA faculty won two Emmys at the 2011 Mid-America Emmy Awards in St. Louis on Oct. 22. Professors Larry Foley and Dale Carpenter won for cultural documentary. Instructor Hayot Tuychiev won for Religion News Story. Pictured (from left) are Carpenter; Rufus Stephens, who was featured in "War Eagle;" Foley and Tuychiev.

University of Arkansas faculty Dale Carpenter, Larry Foley, and Hayot Tuychiev earned Emmys for their documentary work by the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences during an award ceremony in St. Louis on Oct. 22.

Professors Carpenter and Foley took home the prize for their film “Bridge to War Eagle,” in the category of Cultural Documentary. Instructor Tuychiev won an Emmy for his film, “Temple of Peace,” in the category of Religion: News Story/Program Feature.

“Bridge to War Eagle” tells the tale of an iconic steel bridge and grist mill on War Eagle Creek in the Ozark hills that frame a collection of poignant stories in the documentary film. The 30-minute film is about a wild stream, protected only by the folks who use it, and illustrated by the stories of those who love it.

“Temple of Peace” explores the life of a Palestinian Muslim, Fadil Bayyari, who owns a construction company in Springdale. He sets out to accomplish an unprecedented project: to build a Jewish synagogue. The idea itself, a synagogue being built by a Palestinian Muslim, sparks debate in both Muslim and Jewish communities. While the synagogue is being built in Fayetteville, Jeremy Hess, member of the Jewish community, and Fadil Bayyari try to at least bridge the gap between two very different communities here in Northwest Arkansas.

This article was written by faculty in the Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism.