(Blog originally posted 06/27/07)
Hey neighbors! WOW, what a week!
I attended the annual Gracie Awards in NYC. These are presented by the AWRT (American Women in Radio & Television) and I'm proud to be the first male ever elected to the Board of Directors (yeah, chicks dig me!). Specs Grad Mary Bennett has also been on the board for a number of years. She is currently the Chair of AWRT.
Specs grad Shelley Irwin (pictured bottom left) earned her fourth straight Gracie Award for the work she's done at WGVU in Grand Rapids. Overall, it was a great event. Just don't ask me how many hours it took me to get home.
Speaking of the number four, that's how many Specs Howard grads won EMMY awards at the recent awards banquet. Our sincere congratulations to:
Glenda Lewis
WXYZ-TV
Tim Pamplin
WDIV-TV
Charlie Langton
Sterling Heights Television & FOX 2 -- He won two!
Jeff Sepulveda
WDIV-TV
We heard from grad Chris Chynoweth regarding his move from GTN to Mad River Post and he brought us up-to-date on his most recent project, which is a music video called Cold Steel by Phat Kat (featuring Elzi from Slum Village).
Cold Steel is meant to deliver a clear message to the hip-hop community against gun violence. This video was directed by Anthony Garth of Avalon Films/Fallout Entertainment and is slated to debut on BET next month.
Chris is also putting the finishing touches on a live Bob Seger video, which is a documentary style piece. In his spare time, he's also worked on commercials for Kellogg's & Chevrolet.
Amazing!
I would also like to share two emails I received recently. The first one is from John Zadikian, a grad from 1982 (RTV-7):
"Specs and the staff took my childhood dreams of informing and entertaining people and made them into reality. I can't fathom where I'd be if I hadn't set foot into the old classrooms on Northland Drive and marveled at Uncle Kernen's stories about the early days of modern radio in the Motor City.My voice can be heard across Michigan and Chicago doing traffic reports, telephone voice prompts and other voice work for AAA. I also cut spots for Kmart and Sears, and do other freelance voice and print work.
Thanks to SHS, I've gone from a five-year-old "radio announcer man" in his kindergarten class play to a successful media career. Retirement can wait!"
The second one is from a 2005 grad, Terri Lee-Sylvester (RTV-5):
"In May 2006, I joined 1180 WXLA as mid-day host. When the station was sold, along with Power 96.5, to MacDonald Broadcasting, I was hired as the local host for the Tom Joyner Morning Show.On May 14, 2007, I was promoted to Managing Editor for their four Lansing stations: Power 96.5, 1320 WILS, Mike FM and 1180 WXLA.
Currently, in addition to my supervisory responsibilities, I anchor the 11am, 12noon and 1pm news Monday-Friday. I love my job and will be forever grateful for the wonderful training I received at Specs Howard!"
In closing, I'd like to extend get-well wishes to two of our radio pals, Art Vuolo and Kevin O'Neil. On behalf of the school, I wish them both quick and complete recoveries!