WGLS broadcaster wins area scholarship

The Whit
By: Amy Ovsiew
Issue date: 4/13/06 Section: News

Already the sports director for Rowan Radio WGLS 89.7-FM, vice president of the Newman Club and a university admissions ambassador, junior radio/television/film major George Hunsicker can add another achievement to his resume: Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia scholarship winner. Hunsicker, who is also the president of the Future Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, will receive his scholarship of $1,500 at a dinner on April 19 in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. He will be joined by four other students from LaSalle University, Temple University, the University of Delaware and Cabrini College who also won. The scholarship is given to juniors and seniors who are studying radio, television and/or film production and, according to the organization's Web site, http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/, "demonstrate academic excellence and professional potential."

"George is outgoing, well-liked and really dedicated to sports and sports broadcasting," said Frank Hogan, WGLS-FM's general manager and the president of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia. Hogan, who has known Hunsicker for two years, said about 40 students applied for the scholarship. "You have to provide service to your community and be involved with a radio station [to apply]," said Hogan. "Most of the people are active in their university." "I've known about the scholarship since freshman year," said Hunsicker, who lives in Collegeville, Pa. "I had to wait til I was a junior to apply ... I had a feeling I might win [the scholarship]. It was nice when I found out; my parents were proud."

Hunsicker said he looks forward to being "surrounded by Philly legends and [getting to] bump elbows with big people and make connections" at the scholarship dinner. Receiving the scholarship, he said, is a step in the right direction. Hunsicker, who said the scholarship money will go toward next semester's tuition, aspires to become a sports broadcaster after graduating. "That's my goal," said Hunsicker. "But I'll do what I have to do. I have the ability to be an on-air [disc jockey] or on TV, as well. I'm pretty confident I'll make it in the business."

Hunsicker said he always takes on whatever he can and credited Rowan Radio and its staff for his success thus far. "I'd like to send a thank you to the station manager, Frank Hogan, and the assistant station manager, Derek Jones, for what they've taught me," said Hunsicker. "Rowan has had a remendous impact on me ... the opportunities I've had at Rowan Radio, they're something I never could have imagined."

Other past and present members of Rowan Radio have received awards recently, as well. On April 1, Rowan Radio won the "Radio Newscast" contest at the Society of Professional Journalists Region 1 Conference at Rutgers University for the Rowan Report's coverage of campus events and news. They will now compete in the national competition in August. On April 6, Rowan Radio inducted alumni Sammy "Pepper" Bonavita, Renard F. Henderson and Jeff Hickman into the WGLS Hall of Fame at the WGLS 89.7-FM annual spring banquet.