JOHN STOCKWELL
Radio Department Supervisor
As a student I was one of those strange people who never missed a day of class. I tell my students that just showing up and paying attention is about 70% of what it takes to be successful in the broadcast industry. In short, I approached my studies at Specs as if my broadcast career had already begun.
While still enrolled at Specs Howard, I began interning in the WJR radio news department and was eventually hired at the station while still enrolled in school. Working for one of the largest and most well-known radio stations in the country has been a rewarding experience figuratively and literally. My coverage of the Ford Rouge explosion in 1999 won the award from the Associated Press as the best spot news coverage from all entries submitted through the United States. I also contributed pieces to several other award-winning segments including the Northwest Airlines pilots' strike, the 2000 election, Y2K and the final day at Tiger Stadium.
In 2001, I began teaching at Specs Howard full-time while keeping a part-time on-air job at WJR. Staying on the air and in touch with the industry, for me, is the key to being a successful teacher. I can tell my class, "This is what I did when I was on the air last night," as opposed to trying to explain to them some out-of-date experience from many years ago.
Finally, I am frequently asked why I cut back on my radio duties in order to be a teacher. Well, the answer is simple. I want to be a teacher. Having an on-air job is great, but sharing my knowledge with students and seeing them achieve their goals and dreams provides a feeling of satisfaction that on-air work and broadcast awards can never match.
Classes you teach: Broadcast Writing, Broadcast Writing For Radio.
Office hours: Open door or by appointment
Current contributions outside Specs: Currently News Anchor on WJR Radio Detroit. Winner of numerous awards from the Associated Press and Michigan Association Of Broadcasters. Edward R. Murrow Award Winner, 2005.
I am also a member of ASCAP (The American Society Of Composers Authors And Publishers).
Favorite air personality: Kent Brockman, KBBL.
Favorite radio station: XM Radio's stand-up comedy channel.
What would students be surprised to know about you? I don't know how to swim.
What is the primary reason you listen to the radio? Because a TV won't fit on my dash
What song do you wish would disappear from radio? Playground In My Mind by Clint Holmes.
What do you think is the coolest job off the air? Commercial production.
Would you pay for satellite radio? Yes ... and I do.
What makes a good DJ? Showing up on time, being a decent human being and realizing you are replaceable.
Education: Currently enrolled at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. B.A. University Of Toledo, 1986 in Theatre. Specs Howard Graduate 1998.
Likes: Nintendo Wii, The Simpsons, Football, NASCAR, 24, San Francisco 49ers, New York Yankees.
Dislikes: Ignorance by choice.
One thing you'd like to learn: Everything
Pets: Yes
Subjects that interest you: Theology, computers, music, styles of comic performance, current events, politics.
Favorite writer: Pope John Paul II
Favorite movie: The King Of Comedy starring Robert DeNiro and Jerry Lewis
 Favorite place:
San Francisco
Places traveled: Too numerous to mention
Greatest accomplishment: Being a dad
Best book: Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI. It's actually an encyclical...but still a great and inspiring read.
Special talents/skills/hobbies: Trained singer for the stage. |
