RADIO-TV PROGRAM CELEBRATES TRADITION
WHILE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE FROM THE FIRST STUDENTS ENROLLED in the program to a new trajectory for the future, the Lake Land College Radio-TV program continues to evolve and recognize its alumni and faculty who influenced its success.
For nearly 30 years, Radio-TV alumnus Robert “Doc” Kralman has been a part of the lives of the Effingham community as a cornerstone of the WXEF and KJ Country family radio stations. He was one of the original three students who enrolled in the radio program at Lake Land College and out of that group, was the only one who pursued a career in the field.
After graduating from Lake Land, Kralman started his first job in radio in April of 1971. Fifty years later he celebrated his success in the broadcast industry during a retirement party at the studio. Lake Land College Alumni Association President Rudy Huber and Alumni Engagement & Special Events Coordinator Amanda Tucker attended the event and presented Kralman a certificate honoring his service and distinction as a Lake Land College Alumnus. “It is a rewarding field to do, and I’m glad I got to do it over the years,” Kralman said. “You have to really learn how to be a part of the community, because if you’re on the air, you eventually become brothers, sisters, aunts or uncles to people you’ll never know feel that
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way about you. It has just been a fun journey through the whole time.” After Kralman’s graduation, former WLKL Station Manager and RadioTV Broadcasting Instructor and Division Chair of Humanities Ken Beno’s leadership continued to develop the program. During his tenure, he created outstanding opportunities to students through the RadioTV Department and WLKL. He also led the development of the college’s leading-edge distance learning program that expanded opportunities for residents to attend classes throughout the district. For these reasons and more, Beno was inducted into the college’s Retiree Wall of Fame in March 2021.
