Graduate News & Profiles begins with an interview with John Brown, a 1996 Broadcast Center grad. John has served as co-host of the nationally syndicated TV morning show, “The Daily Buzz” airing in over 130 markets. He is currently a the Morning Anchor for Good Day Orlando on Fox 35News in Orlando, Florida.

John, Where are you now and where have you been in your broadcast career?

I was previously the evening news anchor at the ABC affiliate in Springfield, Missouri. I have also been a radio and TV personality in St. Louis and Miami, Florida during my years in the biz.

You earned four-year degrees in Biology and Chemistry. What motivated your decision to pursue broadcasting?

I pursued what I thought was a good career choice. I was getting ready to attend medical school when I realized that all I really wanted to do was be on the radio. I had a job that required me to be in the car 8 hours a day which gave me plenty of listening time. I fell in love with what I was hearing. It seemed like something I could do, but more importantly it sounded like something I "wanted" to do. That's when I changed career paths and started attending Broadcast Center.

Why did you decide to attend Broadcast Center?

I knew the reputation of the Broadcast Center was stellar in placing students in the industry. I knew if I changed career paths, I had to get a job soon. I actually ended up getting a job in Miami, Florida before I even finished the entire Broadcast Center program. My first program director said he hired me only because of the reputation of the school, so it was one of the defining moments in my career.

What did you get from your Broadcast Center education that serves you on a daily basis?

My experience taught me that there are tons of talented people, so I had to be more dedicated than the others to succeed. The school built my confidence and taught me the basics skills to excel. Had I not learned to talk about "Sanport’s Squash Barbecue Marinade", it would have taken me much longer to get where I am today.

What did you get from Broadcast Center that you were not expecting?

A network of pro's in the business. Many of the teachers who taught me about broadcasting are now my friends. People like Larry Connors and Rick Wallace (to name just a few) have continued to make an impact on my career long after I completed the program.

What’s the most important lesson have you learned about what it takes to be a professional in this industry?

Everybody is talented in their own way. The difference between a person making $6.00 an hour and $500,000 a year is very small. The people making the top money are often just a 'little' more dedicated than those who quit before reaching the top. I love the quote.. "Failures fail to do the little things that what successful people do everyday."

If you could assume the position of another person in radio/tv, who and why?

I think I have the best job in the country. I am doing the news, having fun, giving my opinions, and getting paid well for it! It's hard to beat that combination.

Do you still get butterflies before the lights go on?

The butterflies are now gone, but the voice exercise continue. Guy Phillips taught me some facial warm-ups when I was a rookie that I continue to this day.

What advice would you give BC students or those considering attending Broadcast Center?

The road to being a success can be long and hard, but if you stay in the race longer than everyone else... you'll be the only one standing. It was tough making it in the early days, but it does pay off. Work harder, work smarter, and do the things the failures fail to do. All of this will add up to a very rewarding career for you.

(Note: John Brown is now an anchor and reporter for FOX 35 News in Orlando, FL. He is a former Anchor & Reporter at Fox 2 News in St. Louis and former host of John Brown's Mindset on KTRS radio in St. Louis)

Sara Dorsey
(Sara currently anchors Channel 4 News Today on WSMV, Nashville, Tennessee. The article was written when she was at KTSP in Tampa Bay)

When news happens in the southeast, there’s a good chance you’ll see Broadcast Center graduate Sara Dorsey covering it for Tampa Bay's CBS affiliate KTSP or as a correspondent for CNN. You’ve seen Sara covering Hurricanes Charley and Ivan in 2004, Eric Rudolph pleading guilty to a string of bombings including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics attack, and the slayings of 9-year-old Jessica Marie Lunsford and 13-year-old Sarah Michelle Lunde in Florida on CNN.

Sara graduated from Broadcast Center in 2002 after completing voice and delivery training, audio production training, news reporting and anchoring training and the Center’s Electronic Journalism course.

We remember Sara as a very hard working, dedicated individual who was destined for success. Sara’s reporting, interviewing, and writing skills have made her one of today’s top news journalists and we're sure we'll see much more of Sara Dorsey in the future.

Monica Adams - Fox 2 News KTVI Jeff Allen - KFTK John Aughey - KEZK Bob Armbruster - KFUO Dick Danza - The Point Laurie Beakley - Y-98 & KEZK John Carney - KTRS 550 Paul Cook - Y-98 John Curtis – Metro News Frank Cusamano - KSDK-TV Joe Dinero - Rams football Gary Duncan - KFUO Emmett - The Point Kathleen England - Fox 2 KTVI-TV Ian The Peon - KTRS Heidi Glaus - KSDK-TV ("Show Me St. Louis") Kent Hall - The Bull Tammi Holland - Z-107 Brian Hartmann- 106.5 The Arch Steve Geofferies - The Bull Kathryn Jamboretz - WB11 KPLR-TV Maria Keena - Metro News Derrick Keith - WIL 92.3 John Kelly - Former St. Louis Blues pbp Steve Klotz – KTRS Jim Krupp – KJSL

Troy Kueker (T-Bone) - 106.5 The Arch Madison - K-HITS Laurie McConnell - K-HITS Charlie McDonald - KFUO Sherry McKnight - The Bull Dave Miller - KFUO Todd Morgan - The Point Jenny Olive - The River Joe Petrovich - KMOV-TV Chris Pilcic – KTRS Dody Rahlmann - KLOU Steve Savard - KMOV-TV and Rams football pbp Monica Senecal - KFUO Eric Sontag - Metro News Anne Steffans - KMOV-TV Mark Stevens - Metro Traffic (KTRS) Christy Swyers - 106.5 The Arch Joe Barrale - WEW Stephanie Thomas – Metro News Sue Thomas - KMOV-TV John Ulett - KSHE, K-HITS, Voice of Busch Stadium Rick Wallace - KMOX Kelly Webb - KFTK Wendy Weiss - KTRS Kenny Williams - The River Tim Wilund - KTRS Traffic

 

 

Graduate feedback

• R. Churchman:

  "Every other air personality at my station is at least 7 years older than I and have been "in the biz" for a lot longer than myself. However, my personal Arbitron ratings for the fall were higher than everyone else's at my station. I attribute this to a number of things, one being the advice and critiques of the established professional broadcasters teaching at BC." 

• Steve Savard, KMOV-TV/Rams Radio

  "I have absolutely no regrets about entering this business. I think this is the best job anyone could have - that is, if you love sports. I have enclosed a copy of a letter of recommendation I received from my news director in Billings. I think it will illustrate how well prepared I was for my first job in this medium. I think this speaks well of Broadcast Center and its instructors."

• S. Smith

  "I owe a ton to BC. They schooled me in all of the necessary aspects of my job extremely well. All of the instructors were patient and wonderful. The rest is up to me.."

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