Corp’s Jim Goodmon (left) honors Tom Campbell with induction into the NCAB Hall of Fame. |
The North Carolina Association of Broadcasters has honored two men with CBC connections. Tom Campbell, Executive Producer and moderator of NC SPIN, recently received induction into the NCAB Hall of Fame. And Pierce Conway, son of CBC New Media Group Director of Creative Services John Conway, won one of two $10,000 scholarships. The presentations took place at the NCAB annual convention in Charlotte on Sunday night, June 26, 2011.
Putting the Proper Spin on Community Awareness
Campbell’s NC SPIN talk show airs statewide on television and radio. The soon-to-be 14-year-old program is the second longest-running TV talk show in North Carolina, having aired more than 660 shows.
NC SPIN is produced in WRAL-TV’s Studios and airs on WRAL-TV at 6:30am on Sunday mornings. The program also airs on FOX 50 at 8:30am. Both of CBC’s Charlotte television stations, WJZY & WMYT air NC SPIN, as well as CBC’s station in Wilmington, WILM-TV. Check here for times and other showings across the state.
Campbell told the NCAB what he thinks the keys to the show’s success are.
“First, we are an independent production, so no one can tell us what topics to select, what to say about them or who to choose as panelists,” said Campbell. “We have an excellent cadre of panelists who present a balanced debate on key public issues and we air a fresh show every week of the year.”
Campbell’s family founded Campbell University in Buies Creek, as well as the first television station in Eastern North Carolina, WNCT-TV in Greenville.
Throughout his career of working in broadcasting, Campbell was the licensee of CBC’s WRAZ-TV FOX 50. He has also owned and managed radio stations in Wilson, Elizabeth City, Greenville and Jacksonville, NC.
Campbell now writes a weekly column, “My Spin,” for newspapers across North Carolina and posts on his ncblogger.com web site.
He has served as the Assistant Treasurer for the State of North Carolina and is a past president of the NCAB, the Rotary Club of Raleigh and the Salvation Army of Wake County.
CBC President & CEO Jim Goodmon, an NCAB Hall of Fame member (2003) himself, officially inducted Campbell at the June 26th ceremony. Campbell’s father, a. Hartwell Campbell, is also a member of the NCAB Hall of Fame (1982).
“No award or honor means more to me than this,” said Campbell. “Being recognized by my peers is humbling and I am deeply appreciative. It challenges me to live up to this honor.”
Several other CBC’ers are NCAB Hall of Fame members as well. Long-time WRAL-TV Anchor Charlie Gaddy received induction in 1994, Sports Reporter Ray Reeve in 1971, WRAL-TV Farm Reporter Ray Wilkinson in 1990, CBC President Fred Fletcher in 1982, and CBC founder A.J. Fletcher in 1975. Retired CBC & WRAL executive John Greene is the most recent inductee in 2007.
Supporting the Future of Broadcasting
Pierce Conway (left, son of CBC NMG’s John Conway) wins an NCAB scholarships alongside MacKenzie Roberts. |
During the evening, the NCAB also honored two students with $10,000 scholarships. Pierce Conway won the NCAB Scholarship, awarded to a child of an NCAB member, and Mackenzie Roberts won the NCAB Broadcasters Scholarship.
Conway recently graduated from Middle Creek High School in Apex with an impressive overall GPA of 4.7. He made straight A’s throughout high school landing him on the A Honor Roll and placing him 24th in a class of 351 on graduation day.
Beyond his studies, Conway won many honors during his high school career. He won named to the 2010 Academic All-Conference for Lacrosse, won the 2011 Youth Lacrosse Systems Leadership Award, and the 2009 Lacrosse Systems Most Improved Player. Conway served as Student Government and Senior Class President and was a member of the National Honor Society.
He got some experience that will help him in his endeavor to pursue a career in broadcasting during high school as well. He says his dream job would be as a commentator for ESPN. He served as play-by-play announcer for the football and basketball games at Middle Creek High. He also served as sportscaster and newscaster for the school webcast and television news; Conway anchored and served as audio engineer for the daily school newscasts.
Proving the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Conway says his interest in a broadcasting career was sparked when he began taking digital media classes. In his submission essay he said that he enjoyed the production process and then seeing the edited show aired in the classrooms.
“I like how broadcasting unifies people; everyone can talk about the game that was on the night before or world events on the news,” Conway wrote. “Broadcasting is constantly changing and I want a job that will challenge me every day.”
Conway will attend his father’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall. Capcom knows that his dad is very, very proud.
The scholarship presentations took place as part of the NCAB’s annual convention in Charlotte. WRAL-FM Vice President & General Manager Ardie Gregory, a member of the NCAB Board of Directors, had the honor of making the presentation to the younger Conway.
Elon University judged the applicants for the 2011 scholarship competition.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Clarence Williams for contributions to this capcom story & to Tom Campbell CBC NMG’s John Conway for these capcom photos.
