Welcome to Broadcast Center Graduate News & Profiles where we feature a selection of Broadcast Center graduate success stories. Of course, we can't help but feel that every student who completes the program and goes to work in the industry is indeed a success story.

Broadcast Center graduates Steve Savard (left, KMOV-TV, St. Louis) and Frank Cusumano (center, KSDK-TV, St. Louis) grace the cover of a recent issue of Saint Louis Sports Magazine.

John Brown

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 Reporter/Anchor Fox 2 News, and host of midday show John Brown's Mindset on 550 KTRS)

John, Where are you now and where have you been in your broadcast career? (note: interview was conducted in 2006)

I am news host of the nationally syndicated morning news program called "The Daily Buzz." I have only been on the job (since 2004) here in Orlando. I was previously the evening news anchor at the ABC affiliate in Springfield, Missouri. I have also been a radio personality in St. Louis and Miami, Florida during my 9 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 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 on a nationally syndicated program, 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 now an anchor and reporter for FOX 2 News in St. Louis and hosts John Brown's Mindset from 12 Noon til 3pm 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 most recently, 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.