Uncle Kernen's Blog

I’m delighted to inform you that the founder and spiritual leader of the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Mr. Specs Howard, has been named the recipient of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Annual "Lifetime Achievement Award".  He will receive his award during their annual meeting on Mackinac Island at the legendary Grand Hotel.  The association will also celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Congratulations to the man that has been an incredible role model for all of us here at Specs, and to the many students that were provided a wonderful learning experience at the school. Specs grads have moved on to become professionals in their careers all across the country carrying with them the same expertise and expert role model that our leader continues to provide for us.

I am delighted to also congratulate one of those Specs grads as he celebrates his 25 years with WTCM radio in Traverse City. Jack O’Malley has been the voice on the morning show since he started in 1984. What changes he’s seen as the technology changed from records to CDs!

More congratulations are in order for another Specs grad.  Tim Pamplin (Specs grad) and his WDIV local 4 Team have been awarded the 2009 Edward R. Murrow Award for the top News Documentary in Region 7 by The Radio-Television News Directors Association and Foundation (RTNDA). This award is the most prestigious award and the second for the trio. The team’s 2009 award was for their half-hour documentary titled Fuel’s Gold: From Detroit to Shanghai.  Tim worked as the photojournalist along with Devin Scillian and Vanessa Ogletree on the piece that captured the future of the automotive industry.  Hats off to you Tim!

Nothing in life comes easy, but hard work and continued effort usually pays off.  It did for Akil Anderson who, after graduation, began working for a local Detroit recording studio meeting artists like EMINEM, D12, and Royce DA 59 to name a few.  But like many other businesses, slow downs happen but Akil didn’t give up.  He continued working random jobs in the LA area, then as a production coordinator for Ryan Seacrest, and on TV for shows like Steve Harvey’s Big Time, Crank Yankers, producing jobs for MTV and Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood.  The skills and experience he gained along the way and his determination to succeed has lead him to begin working on his own film this year.  Akil thanks SHS for providing him the tools of the trade, but his passion and continued hard work has been his biggest asset.  The Specs clan wishes you continued success.

Specs successful grads don’t just stay in the US!  No, just ask Jana Kendrick who became the first female in Canada (2nd overall) to become a Certified Avid User. Jana didn’t stop there.  She went on to become Certified in Final Cut and landed her current position as an editor at Media Street Productions in Windsor but has taken on other position responsibilities as well. One roll as a photojournalist took her to the Philippines and she most recently traveled to Mackinac Island to teach a Media Camp for kids. Way to go!

William Harvey, TRVC 11, 2004 graduate, has a morning show at XCOUNTRY 106.5 WXNU IN Kankakee IL.  But before he took his current position, Will worked in Tawas MI, Athens OH, and then ventured on a road show titled “Project 100 Radio” visiting 100 mornings shows in 100 days!  I bet you’re glad that’s over Will.

Dale Remy is currently a sales manager for KTHV-TV in Little Rock, AR where he recently had the chance to meet up with Dr. Phil.  Dale, I hope you let him know that Uncle Kernen and the crew are doing OK?  Or should we expect him at our front desk?  Best to you and your wife.

Today, at WWJ Newsradio 950, Specs has a remarkable presence!  If you’re listening and hear anchors Bill Stevens, Paul Snider, Mike Campbell or Jeff DeFran—think Specs grads.

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