Uncle Kernen's Blog

Greetings specs students, alumni, and friends. As I mentioned in my last post, the Specs Howard Street team is out and about in metro Detroit, collaborating with 89X and 101 WRIF to produce original web videos. Well the time has come for you to see all of their work, along with some classic Specs Howard spots online. Check out our new streaming video channel, Specs Howard TV! Its updated weekly with new shows, so be sure to bookmark it

Specs students helped out at the 22nd Annual Dick Purton Radiothon for the Salvation Army. The event raised over $2.2 million for the Bed and Bread program, which provides food, shelter and services to people in need. Amanda Wilton, event manager, couldn't speak more highly of the Specs interns that worked the event:

"Thank you so much for all your hard work in coordinating the students to help us with the Dick Purtan Radiothon.  I have to say that they all were a true joy to work with."

On behalf of me and the Specs staff, I want to say thank you for everyone that donated the time and effort towards the event. Check out the video above to see Fox 2's coverage of the successful fundraiser.

As you know, Specs grads are everywhere and doing great things. I was excited to hear that one of our favorite grads, Billy Green (Billy the Kid), checked in with the great news that he's the newest addition to one of Americas legendary radio stations, WHTZ - Z-100 in the nations largest market...New York City!  Z-100 is the home of equally legendary air talent, Scott Shannon.  Pretty fast company.  Billy has been in Dallas for the last 8 years and to this day remains the only grad to have had his picture featured on thousands of Pepsi Cola cans that were distributed all over Texas!  Way to go Billy!

Other successes in radio includes WHMI's big win for General Excellence award for news coverage in 2008. Specs grad Jon King received recognition for Best Spot News in providing live, “as-it-happened” coverage of the June 8th tornado that moved across Livingston County. Jessica Mathews was honored for Best Hard News with her reports about a disturbing trend by drug dealers to targeting children. Radio journalism in action! Great job!

Back at Specs we have something to celebrate of our own. Steve Julin, Director of Curriculum Development and long time Video Editing instructor, was named Educator of the Year by the Digital Arts, Film & Television (D.A.F.T.) folks.  He will receive the award at the annual Michigan Youth Arts Festival in early May.  Steve has been involved with the school for 17 years and has been responsible for many of the progressive ideas, techniques and equipment acquisitions that have kept the school in the forefront the industries and students that we serve. Congratulations Steve...you've earned it!

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