​De La Salle Institute Alum Nominated for College Television Award

De La Salle Institute alumna Chirsten Vanderbilt Ellis has been nominated for the Television Academy Foundation’s 44th College Television Awards. The Foundation’s annual awards show recognizes and rewards excellence in student-produced programs from colleges across the country. Winners in the competition will be announced by television stars at the red-carpet awards ceremony on April 5 at the Television Academy in North Hollywood, California. Designed to emulate the Emmy Awards, student entries are judged by Television Academy members. Criteria for the College Television Awards reflect industry standards of excellence, imagination and innovation.

Ellis is nominated in the Drama Series category for producing a project titled Neither Donkey Nor Horse while attending the University of Southern California .

The dramatic piece centers on the real life story of Dr. Wu Lien-teh, a Malayan physician renowned for his work in public health, particularly the Manchurian plague of 1910–11. He is the inventor of the Wu mask, which is the forerunner of today's N95 respirator. He was also the first Malayan nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, in 1935.

“During the 2020 pandemic, our world was turned upside down as millions endured isolation and countless lives were lost to COVID-19,” said Ellis. “Amid this uncertainty, we rediscovered the remarkable story of Dr. Wu Lien-teh. His life embodies resilience, triumph over prejudice, and groundbreaking innovation in humanity’s darkest hour. This narrative feels especially poignant in our post-pandemic world. We chose to tell this story to highlight our shared humanity that transcends all barriers of culture, language, generations and beliefs.”

“I served as a producer on Neither Donkey Nor Horse,” said Ellis. “I managed the budget, organized production meetings, and worked closely with the camera, costume, and art departments to ensure our deliverables were completed. Through this large-scale project, I gained valuable insight into the creative and logistical challenges of producing a period piece. I also learned the importance of problem-solving, from addressing last-minute location changes to finding innovative solutions that stayed within budget.”

“Early on in my college career, I overcame challenges in my health,” said Ellis. “Those experiences shaped the kinds of stories and projects I want to make. Winning a College Television Awards would feel like a full circle moment from the college transfer student who sat on the bench eating lunch observing film students on campus to getting an opportunity to be nominated for this prestigious award. Winning a College Television Award would not only bolster my confidence, but affirms my love for creating television that bolsters human connection and wonder among audiences.”

From Chicago, IL, Ellis attended De La Salle Institute. She completed a MFA degree in Film and Television Production from USC in Dec. 2024.

Attending nominees of the 44th College television Awards will participate in professional development events with media and industry leaders and a special screening of their projects for Television Academy members prior to the awards show on April 5.