Charlie Tuna
CLASS OF 1999 Art Ferguson, better known as Charlie Tuna, started in radio at the age of 16 in his hometown of Kearney at KGFW. His passion for radio drove him to enjoy one of the most successful DJ careers in the country. From KGFW, Art left small-market radio for clear-channel KOMA Oklahoma City where he […]
Ken Headrick
CLASS OF 1999 During his 35 years at KFAB, Ken Headrick was a major force in developing the station into a ratings leader. He started out studying at Midland College in his hometown of Fremont and at the University of Nebraska seeking majors in music and journalism. As a young man, he played the trombone […]
Don Meier
CLASS OF 2000 Don Meier was the driving force behind one of the most successful series in television, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. He created, directed, and produced the show hosted by Marlin Perkins. “Growing up in Nebraska, I liked the outdoors, but this was beyond my wildest dreams,” Don said. Don ran the library […]
John McDonald
CLASS OF 2000 John McDonald was general manager of KGFW Kearney and managed its affiliated stations for more than 40 years. Born in Kansas, John graduated from Abilene High School in 1964 and immediately joined the Navy. Serving on the USS Guam based in Norfolk, Virginia, he visited with staff members of a local radio […]
John Webster
CLASS OF 2001 An Omaha native, John Wallace Webster attended high school at a military academy and graduated from Menlo College in California, with a degree in business administration. He and his father went into real estate and investments. John Webster’s entry into broadcasting began with an opportunity to file for the KOIL/KEFM licenses that […]
Lew Hunter
CLASS OF 2001 Lew Hunter was a writer, producer, and executive at Columbia, Lorimar, Paramount, Disney, NBC, and CBS. He taught at UCLA starting in 1979, becoming Chair of the Screenwriting Department, and is one of the premier screenwriting teachers in the world. Born in Guide Rock, Lew was a disc jockey and floor manager […]
Robert H. Storz
CLASS OF 2002 Robert H. Storz was a master strategist and businessman. He got into radio by backing his son Todd Storz who transitioned radio from network block programming to local music and news. Robert helped run the family’s Storz Brewing Company, the state’s top-selling beer in the 1950s. He also had an extensive banking […]
Richard Palmquist
CLASS OF 2002 Richard F. Palmquist was an actor and announcer during his formative years. He went into radio and television then into advertising with his own successful agencies before becoming president of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association. His guidance, attention to detail, and ready smile made the NBA a nationally recognized entity. Richard was born […]
Roger Dodson
CLASS OF 2003 Roger Dodson was born in Nehawka. In 1957 while still in high school, he got his first radio job working for KNCY in Nebraska City. When he later graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1964, he almost immediately was brought in as general manager of KODY North Platte. He worked as […]
Mel Mains
CLASS OF 2003 Mel Mains anchored the evening news on KOLN/KGIN TV in Lincoln for 34 years covering most of Nebraska and northern Kansas. He became an institution within the Nebraska media and a household name for thousands of Nebraskans. A native of Holmesville, Mel Mains graduated from Wymore High School in 1947. He spent […]