Award-winning journalist and Omaha native Michelle Bandur will emcee College of Saint Mary’s Ignite the Flame

OMAHA, Neb. – Michelle Bandur, an award-winning journalist from Omaha will emcee the Ignite the Flame luncheon at College of Saint Mary (CSM) June 3. 

In its third year, the fundraiser supports women’s athletics, showcases the achievements of CSM’s Flames athletes and honors a trailblazer in women’s sports. 

CSM will present this year’s Ignite the Flame Community Impact award to Kirsten Bernthal Booth, former Creighton University volleyball coach, for her dedication to empowering girls and women in athletics. 

Bandur will lead a discussion with Bernthal Booth during the event. 

“I'm excited to be part of an important conversation with Coach Booth about her experience with growing women’s sports and what we all can do to continue bringing talented female athletes to the spotlight,” said Bandur. “I'm also honored College of Saint Mary asked me to help with its major annual fundraiser to Ignite the Flame and keep it lit for years to come.” 

Ignite the Flame will also include a testimonial from current Flames athlete Kylee Brown. Lisa Utterback, Omaha Public Schools chief officer of student and community services, a CSM alum and former student-athlete, will serve as the event’s honorary chair.  

  The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 3 at the Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse at CSM’s campus located at 7000 Mercy Road. 

Bandur, who has worked in television journalism for 30 years, is a three-time Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist. She worked at KMTV and KETV in Omaha for 20 years before starting as a reporter at KCRA-TV in Sacramento, Calif. where she currently works.  

She won the Edward R. Murrow award for her investigation in helping a Korean War veteran from Iowa find and reunite with his first love from 70 years ago. The story has nearly 2 million views on YouTube. The Nebraska Broadcaster's Association has also recognized her as one of the state's top journalists for her investigative reporting. 

After receiving a hurtful comment from a viewer, Bandur began giving motivational speeches about the harms of bullying, how to stand up for yourself and overcome being bullied.  

She has a passion for competing in triathlons and is the co-founder of Ironhawk Juniors Triathlon Club, a free triathlon club for girls ages 7-14. It takes place at CSM each summer. 

Purchase Ignite the Flame tickets at csm.edu/ignite.