Uncle Kernen's Blog
I just returned from Mackinaw Island for the Annual MAB Summer Conference where "the boss", Mr. Specs Howard, received the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. The summer has been moving quickly as we gear up for fall!  The head of the radio department, Sue Kinney, filled me in about the upgrade that is happening by the end of this year. All 21 of the practice studios will be equipped with ENCO’s Presenter software. All music delivery will soon be digital (no more CD’s and mini-discs!). Look for changes in late 2009, early 2010. Technology is moving fast... and here I thought we were really going state-of-the-art when we replaced our turntables! As you know from this blog, I enjoy keeping up with our grads online and in person. I recently made a trip out to WXYT-AM & FM, "The Ticket" and was amazed and delighted to discover that there are 20 Specs Howard grads working there. That includes 3 out of 4 members of the Morning Show!  No post would be complete without a few grad updates. Ken Meehan (right), a 2002 grad, checked in to let me know he's the 5, 6 and 11 Chief Meteorologist at WDTV in Clarksburg, West Virginia. His past experience includes WLNS-TV in Lansing and KSWO-TV in Wichita Falls Texas. After graduation, he obtained a Masters in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State. Also heard from Alex Roa who traveled from Mexico to attend the SHS in 1998. Here's an edited version of his e-mail: "I've been so lucky and have accomplished tons of those things that I dreamed about while I was in school. After graduating, I came back to Mexico and began working as 2nd Assistant Director doing TV commercials. I grew from there and now I'm directing commercials, TV series and Music Videos at my own production company called DeMilagro Films. I've also produced documentaries for the BBC, the Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Currently, I'm the Executive Producer of a TV Series called ‘Disaparecidos’. It's great to remember those days when I used to stay for hours editing some projects in the old Avid Suite at the school and using 3/4 inch tape and old heavy cameras. It all began there!!! Thanks for getting me started". Thanks to both of you for staying in touch. Best of luck in all your endeavors! If you’re a grad, I’d love to hear from you. Friend me on Facebook or MySpace and send me a message! |