Ever since high school, I wanted to be in radio and television. When I looked at colleges, SIU was the clear choice. Its program wasn’t “communications” with a little broadcasting thrown in, but instead an opportunity for hands-on experience on campus and at area radio stations. I arrived in 1974 and soon was working weekends at WCIL in Carbondale. I took classes at SIU from all of the greats on the radio and TV faculty – Charlie Lynch, John Kurtz, Gene Dybvig, Tom Olsen, Ed Brown and Ken Garry – and in journalism with Harlan Mendenhall. They encouraged us to do as much as we could both in and out of the classroom. While at the University, I worked for WSIU, WIDB, WCIL, and eventually at WGGH in Marion. Along the way I gained experience in announcing, news, sales, production, and writing. The SIU faculty set expectations high, and working at local radio stations gave me the chance to interact with the great people of southern Illinois. Now 36 years after graduation, I know I would not have achieved what I have without the experiences and education I received at SIU. It was four of the best years of my life that I would not trade for anything!
Kurt Mische ’78 Life Member President & CEO KNPB Channel 5 Reno, Nevada
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