From 1,700 miles away, I appreciate WGBK.

I appreciate the way it has impacted the lessons I’ve learned and the experience I have carried into a fulfilling career and great college program. While the Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University (ASU) in Phoenix is a long way from Glenview, the stories and lessons gathered from Glenbrook radio’s WGBK Studio K remain close to heart.

I graduated from South in 2019, and I am currently a junior at Arizona State University studying sports broadcasting. On top of my college career, I have worked in the auto racing world for eight years. I am currently a freelance employee for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s media company, Dirty Mo Media, and an intern at NASCAR. The skills and abilities I’ve acquired over the years stem back to one place: WGBK.

After three years at ASU, WGBK is still the most consistent real-world radio experience I’ve had. Radio never felt like a class, it felt like a job, and it was treated as such.

I can’t talk about WGBK without mentioning Dr. Daniel “Doc” Oswald, the radio teacher at South. On top of his teaching duties, Doc heads the radio program. Doc played a significant role in my radio career, as he instilled a culture of professionalism and legitimacy into the WGBK environment, and I, like so many others, was able to call Doc a boss, mentor, and most importantly, a friend who I wanted to make proud.

My advice to anyone looking to get the most out of their WGBK experience: utilize Doc’s knowledge and experience for your benefit. I can’t count how many times I have applied his lessons into my real-world and college work. In many instances, Doc would evaluate my work with real feedback, and this helped me learn that the best way to learn and grow in this industry is to accept the words and advice of others. While some feedback is hard to hear, an open mind is the best way to improve yourself.

My fondest memories from high school come from my days broadcasting out of Studio K. There’s nothing like calling a Friday night football game under the lights at John Davis Stadium, or having to shout over a roaring crowd rooting on South in the Titan Dome.

Radio has the power to paint a picture into the viewer’s minds. When it’s done correctly, it can create moments of true magic. WGBK will always be a place I can call home, even if it is 1,700 miles away.