Hey, all! I’m baaaaaaaack, which is kind of funny because I actually didn’t go anywhere. My editor, however, was whooping it up on vacation after two weeks of intense budget planning so I apologize for my absence!
KUDOS TO WGRD
First off, I’d like to give a big shout out to WGRD. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, the latest Arbitron show them at #2! A lot of the credit has to go to the morning show Free Beer & Hot Wings and of course, Program Director J.T. (after all, he's a grad).
MABF's BROADCASTING CAREER BUILDERS CONFERENCE
In related news, WGRD’s morning show producer, Joe G., has agreed to take part in the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation’s upcoming Broadcasting Career Builders Conference to take place on Saturday, October 27 at the west campus of Lansing Community College.
This is a “must attend” for anyone pursuing a career in radio or television. The opening keynote speaker will be "The Doc of Rock" Doug Podell, the program director and longtime air personality at WRIF 101 FM.
The closing keynote speaker will be Specs grad Ross Marosso, an airborne reporter for WDIV-TV and accomplished filmmaker.
There will also be a career fair featuring representatives of Michigan radio & TV who will discuss employment opportunities at their facilities. Visit this link for details and SAVE THE DATE!!!
I recently heard from grad Rob St. Mary, the news director at WOOD radio in Grand Rapids, who is finishing a documentary he started five years ago at his first radio job in Bad Axe, Michigan.
It's a fascinating story about the deep divisions, which occur in a small town called The Separation on State Street. (Thanks for the title correction, Rob!)
Also fascinating to me is the large number of film projects our grads have been involved in recently.
ELKO OR BUST?
A year ago, to the utter astonishment of our placement department, we were informed that two of our grads were hired three months apart at two different stations in Elko, Nevada. Huh?
We'd never heard of Elko and had to avail ourselves of a map to find it. Imagine my surprise to discover an article in Time magazine recently featuring numerous Presidential hopefuls campaigning in -- you guessed it – Elko, Nevada. I hope that Erin Coyle & Don (Bud) Burch had an exciting time covering them!
30 MINUTES AT DONER
On a recent visit to Doner Advertising, I discovered that grad Bill Julian was just hired after many years at GTN, joining grad Ken Warzebok in Doner’s production department. Bill asked me if there were any other grads working there, and to my knowledge, they were the only two.
He then took me on a tour of their facility and to our surprise; I ran into two more grads working in the edit suites! And I was only there for 30 minutes.
GRADS IN THE PRESS
Lastly, there was an inspiring article in a recent issue of the Toledo Free Press about two of our grads that live with disabilities.
If it seems at times that I’m a little impatient when it comes to excuses, it's because we've had students who have faced serious challenges – from child care issues to having to rely on Michigan’s terrible mass transit system – but still managed to have great attendance records and great grades.
We've also seen students with disabilities complete our program and pursue very successful careers.
The grads profiled in the article are Kim Devlin, a producer and traffic reporter for the Cumulus Radio Group in Toledo who lives with cerebral palsy, and Jim Snyder, an air personality at CKPC in Brantford, Ontario who is legally blind.
Both have had negative experiences with employers in the past because it was assumed that they would not be able to perform the jobs they'd applied for. But neither of them gave up seeking jobs in radio, and ultimately, they both found employers who believed more in their abilities than their disabilities.
As one of Jim’s previous PD said, "I overlooked Jim’s disability because he sounded great on the air and had great knowledge of radio.”
Kim’s current PD says "...he does a great job for us and does everything we ask of him.”
I couldn't finish this piece without mentioning Ron Bachman, a Specs grad and dear friend. Ron gets around on a scooter and is one of the most sought after motivational speakers in Michigan.
When you're familiar with the challenges faced by these folks, and how successfully they've dealt with them, excuses like “too busy”, “too tired”, or “I forgot” sound REALLY LAME!
GRAD RETURNS TO WDET
Specs grad Craig Fahle recently returned to WDET-FM from Charlotte, North Carolina to host the daily talk show, Detroit Today. I am very proud of him, and the fact that the station also employs several other grads in high profile positions.
Amy Miller anchors Morning Edition, Pat Batchellor anchors All Things Considered, Amanda LeClair co-produces Detroit Today, Barbara Smith works in the Development Department and Malloy Farley is Chief Engineer. I'm sure I've overlooked others, but needless to say, I’m very proud of all of them.
NOTES FROM GRADS
Ask and I did receive several updates from grads. In addition to the kind words provided by Craig Fahle below, we've posted several others worth a look on the Specs Howard website. Check out Happy Trails for more exciting news from our grads!
Dick...You should be proud. Going to Specs was the best decision (outside of marrying my more than patient wife) that I have made. As someone that has been responsible for making some hiring decisions down here in Charlotte, I can't tell you how many applicants lack basic radio skills. They may be great journalists, but I don't always have time to train them in the ways of production and board operation. One thing I try to do for all of my interns is to make sure they have SOME training in this area before they leave us. More than one has called me later to thank me, since they were chosen for a job because they had skills other applicants didn't. I am a happy advocate for the school. I'll talk to you soon! --Craig
Until next week, folks!
