Old Classmate News

1964 CCM alumnus William D. "Bill" Gish of New York City underwent heart surgery August 28 at the Milton S. Hershey Pennsylvania State Medical Center. It was originally scheduled for July 25, but had to have some dental work done first.

Bill is now out of ICU and is recovering from surgery. He has been moved to a re-hab unit where he will cope with a few health issues. The doctors feel that he has come through the operation well. He will remain with his niece while recuperating.

UPDATE: HE IS NOW OUT OF THE MAIN REHAB AND ONLY HAS FOUR MORE WEEKS OF HEART REHAB AND THEN BACK TO NEW YORK. HE IS STAYING WITH HIS NIECE.

HE HAS HAD A ROUGH TIME, HE HAD ALOT WRONG WITH HIS HEART AND WHAT THEY FIRST THOUGHT WAS A SEIZURE IN SURGERY TURNED OUT TO DEFINITELY BE A LIGHT OR MEDIUM STROKE. HIS ONLY PROBLEM HE HAS TROUBLE AT TIMES FINDING WORDS TO SAY WHAT HE WANTS TO SAY. HE SAYS HIS MEMORY IS SHOT BUT HE HOPES THAT WILL IMPROVE WITH TIME AND REHAB.

HE MAY BE REACHED AT WMGISH@AOL.COM

CCM alumnus Joe Lewin ('64), president and general manager of WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, lives near the medical center where Bill underwent surgery and he will be notified of Bill's situation by Charlie Plummer. Even though Joe and Bill were not acquainted in college, Joe volunteered to visit with Bill in the hospital. Joe reported back that it was obvious tht Bill was thrilled with his visit and the fact that someone from CCM would visit with him. Joe said Bill enjoyed talking about Cincinnati days.

Bill's niece also told Charlie that Joe's visit meant so much to Bill and all the cards, letters and prayers mean alot.

9/6/08 Updated 10/28/08

See previous story by clicking here

Alumni spokesman Pete Bissman said he recieved the following information from Charlie Plummer Saturday (August 30):

"I just got off the phone with Bill's niece in Pennsyvania. Bill had the surgery Thursday and yesterday Bill had some scary moments. He had some seizure activity. His niece said that yesterday was not a good day, but they just returned from the hospital and that he is some better. They still have him heavily sedated and he is still on the breathing machine.

He seemed to be aware that his niece was there and would open his eyes when she spoke to him.

Bill had a triple bypass and implant of one valve. His heart was enlarged considerably. His surgeon said this should have been done earlier.

His niece said he needed all the prayer we could provide.

Bill has ordered a big steak, baked potato and caviar for his first meal when he is able to eat.........that's our Bill."

Bissman said, "So now PLEASE put him in your prayers and re send the cards that probably came back last month...

Address: Bill Gish / Room _____/ Penn State Hershey Medical Center / PO Box 850/ Hershey, PA 17033."

8/30/08

CINCINNATI - Dona George Buel, a long time resident of Green Township, died on March 17, 2008 surrounded by her loving family at home in Lewes, DE. A highly accomplished concert pianist, Dona recently retired as an associate professor of music at Xavier University. While serving as Chair of the Department of Music, Dona oversaw the construction of Edgecliff Hall, the University Music Center.

A child prodigy, Dona began playing piano with the Cincinnati Symphony at age 12. She later graduated from the UC College Conservatory of Music (EDU 1962 BSEd, CCM 1962 BA, CCM 1964 MM). She began her teaching career in the Oak Hills school district. She eventually moved on to Edgecliff College and ultimately Xavier University, where she remained for 25 years.

Dona's love for the piano was rivaled only by her love for her husband of 44 years, Bevan Buel ('61 BFA Radio-TV), daughters Andrea McGee and Kendra Baker and grandchildren Cydney, Jordan, Preston and Brigette. She filled the hearts of friends and family with music, love and laughter. While she often brought concert goers to their feet in response to performances of Franz Liszt and other composers, it was at home and in the classroom where Dona's star shone brightest. A wonderful cook and avid gardener, Dona was equal parts motivator, confidant, mentor and maestro. She tended to the needs of her family and students with the same love, attention and creativity she brought to her George family recipes and backyard flower garden. A rare and pure soul, Dona will truly be missed. However, like a beautiful melody, Dona's spirit will linger in our hearts and minds forever. Dona is also survived by her sisters, Kay Previte of Aurora, OH and Dee Schmidt of Columbus, OH.

Funeral Services were March 22 at Westwood United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Dona Buel Scholarship Fund at Xavier University, Department of Music, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207.

6/27/08

Word has been received of the death of R. David Gushurst

A memorial service was held at the Westwood Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ohio on June 23, 2007, for Robert David (Dave) Gushurst who died May 27, 2007. He was 71. He was born in Cincinnati on July 23, 1935, the son of Neil and Evelyn (Hasselbeck) Gushurst. On Sept. 3, 1961, in Cincinnati, he married the former Ellen Levering, who survives.

He was employed as director of media services for the Norwood, Ohio City Schools for 34 years, retiring in 1997. He was also part owner of Madhurst Productions. Dave was a 1959 graduate of CCM.

Also surviving are his son, Christian Hunter Gushurst of Leelanau County, MI; a daughter, Patricia (Mark) Cruey of Hamilton, Ohio; a brother, Neil (JoAnn) Gushurst Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio; and five grandchildren.

Burial was in the Cleveland Township Cemetery, Traverse City, MI. Memorial contributions may be directed to Westwood Presbyterian Church.

6/22/08

1963 CCM graduate Lynn McIntosh has been named the recipient of the Second Eva Parnell Superior Achievement Award. Lynn has been highly successful in his career, from floor director at WLWT to Senior Director of Affiliate Relations at Westwood One. He and his wife, Carol, reside in Springfield, Virginia. Lynn will receive the award at the June Reunion during the Saturday evening dinner on June 14.

The award is named in honor of Eva Parnell who taught drama and speech at the College-Conservatory of Music in the late 1950s through the mid 60s. The first recipient was actor Tom Urich.

The winner of the UC/CCM Radio-TV Alumni Scholarship will also be announced at the the Saturday evening dinner.

2/14/08

Over 18-hundred dollars received so far

The CCM 1950s-60s Alumni Scholarship Committee has received over $1,800 so far for the Scholarship Program. Committee spokesperson Pete Bissman said, "Thanks to your generous donations, our scholarship program is off to a great start." He has delivered checks in the amount of $1,860 to Dr. Manfred Wolfram, director of the UC Electronic Media Department. The money is being held by UC, so it will be tax deductible.

Bissman added, "We hope to make a $500 scholarship available to E Media students, as long as the money lasts."

The Committee announced in December it would began accepting contributions for the program. (See story below) Please make a check out to the "CCM E Media Discretionary Fund" and mail it to: Peter Bissman, 457 Pintail Dr., Loveland, Ohio 45140.

1/16/08

Committee seeks scholarship funds

The Alumni Committee has met with Dr. Manfred Wolfram, head of the University of Cincinnati Electronic Media Department to get the 1950’s and 60’s scholarship program established.

Committee spokesperson Pete Bisman, in a letter to the alumni, said, “We’re not in a position to endow a scholarship, and we don’t think any of us want to embark on a major fund raising campaign. So, at that meeting, we determined that our funds would best be used in the form of a grant to a deserving Junior or Senior to purchase need supplies for student projects in this electronic age.”

Bissman said the Committee is now soliciting funds to add to the amount raised at the 2006 reunion. He added, “We’d like to make this grant an annual one. We think it would be possible to raise and give away $500 per year.”

Checks may be sent to Bissman at 457 Pintail Drive, Loveland, Ohio 45140. They should be made out to: CCM E-Media Discretionary Fund. Since gifts are going to the College’s accounts, they should be tax deductible, but see your tax advisor.

1/7/08

Standing: Pam Stephens, Manfred Wolfram, Mary Ann Luedtke - sitting: Ed Marks, Pete Bissman

A group of R-TV/CCM alumni recently gathered at the home of Ed Marks of Cincinnati to discuss the opportunities available to present a scholarship to a deserving student from the E-media department. Also in attendance was Manfred Wolfram, Chair of the E-media Department.

With Wolfram's input and suggestions it was decided that a campaign would be launched to solicit funds to support the scholarship fund and to add to those funds already available. The scholarship would be given to a deserving student to be applied to their expenses for media supplies – film, CD’s, etc.

All alumni will soon receive a letter containing the details of the program as well as the opportunity to contribute to the fund.

11/29/07

WLWT's first studio will be demolished

Cincinnati's birthplace of television soon will be reduced to rubble. WLWT-TVs original Studio A or Chickasaw Street beneath the University Heights tower and later the first home for WCET-TV (Channel 48) will be razed by year's end.

The studio on "Mount Olympus,' .as the huge complex was called, was built for the city's first commercial broadcasts on WLWT (Channel 51 on Feb. 9, 1948. It cost $600,000, Ruth Lyons '50-50 Club' and the Saturday night's 'Midwestern Hayride' were televised from the facility.

In April 1948, WLWT (then Channel 4) became NBC's second affiliate in the nation, joining WNBC-TV in New York. Channels 9 and 12 didn't sign on until 1949, By 1951, Crosley Broadcasting had moved the '50-50 Club' and other shows to Crosley Square, the centrally located home-of WLW-AM since 1944 at Ninth and Elm streets, downtown. The transmitter and tower have remained at Mount Olympus.

Crosley then leased the studios to WCET-TV - the nation's first licensed public TV station - for $1 a year. From 1959 to 1976, WCET broadcast Lilias Folan's yoga shows, Irma Lazarus' interviews and 'Action Auction' from Mount Olympus. The Sports Time cable channel and Paradigm Communications were based there.

So why won't Mount Olympus see a 60th birthday. "It's a business decision. We looked at the cost at rehabbing the building, but it was exorbitant. We didn't want to pay for the upkeep anymore," says Tim Hudson, Channel 5 assistant chief engineer. The roof leaks, and there is no air conditioning, the studio mostly has been used for storage of old WVXU-FM equipment acquired two years ago by WGUC-FM, which broadcasts from the Channel 5 tower.

By the end of December, all that will remain will be the garage area housing the WGUC-FM and WVXU-FM transmitters and Channel 5's backup analog transmitter, Hudson says.

(from Sunday Cincinnati Enquirer 11/25/2007 John Kiesewetter column)

Nominees for Eva Parnell Award and CCM Scholarships being selected

Six nominees for the Second Eva Parnell Superior Achievement Award have been selected by the Awards Committee. The nominees had to attend the College-Conservatory of Music between 1950 and 1969 and had to devote most of their careers to the field of Radio or Television or Performing in some way.

They will be notified to submit a resume by December 1, 2007. The Awards Committee will then decide the winning applicant. The award will be made during the 2008 Reunion in Indianapolis.

In the meantime, three outstanding Juniors or Seniors will be selected by the UC/CCM Media Department for a $500 Scholarship. They will submit a resume of accomplishments to the Scholarship Committee. The scholarship will be announced at the Reunion.

8/25/07

Dates set for 2008 Reunion

The fourth reunion of radio-tv graduates from the College-Conservatory of Music from the 1950s and 60s will be held June 13 through June 15 of 2008 in Indianapolis. The event will be hosted by Jim and Sherry Weir of Indianapolis.

It will be held at the Marriott Inn Downtown with a Hospitality Room opening on Friday evening with a cash bar. The dinner and program will be Saturday evening at the Rathskeller in downtown Indianapolis, where the Second Eva Parnell Outstanding Achievement Award will be announced and presented. Criteria for the award will be announced soon.

Special tourist packages will be available with details to be revealed later.

Weir says everyone should enjoy Indianapolis. He says the hotel is located next to the Eiteljorg Museum of Native American Art, NCAA Hall of Fame, Victory Field and the Indiana State Museum. The museums are located on the attractive Canal Walk.

7/28/07

Letter of Thanks

Home from the hospital for a month now, Charlie Plummer has issued the following letter of thanks:

MY DEAR FRIENDS:

YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT WAS APPRECIATED DURING MY RECENT BAD NIGHTMARE, REALLY VERY BAD NIGHTMARE. ONLY THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER WAS I ABLE TOO GET THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE. I AM SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH ALOT WORSE SITUATIONS, BUT BASICALLY I AM A WIMP.

I AM RECOVERING EVEN THOUGH THE DOCTORS ARE STILL PUTTING ME THROUGH ALOT OF FOLLOW UP TESTS AND SCANS. I CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH ALL OF THIS.

I AM HOPING THAT I CAN KEEP MOST OF THE 28 POUNDS OFF THAT I LOST IN THOSE TWO WEEKS, BUT I DO HAVE A GREAT APPETITE SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. IN FACT THE DOCTORS HAVE CALLED FOR ME TO LOSE UP TO ANOTHER FIFTY POUNDS GRADUALLY. BY THE WAY I DON'T SUGGEST THAT ANYONE TRY TO L OSE WEIGHT THE WAY I DID.

AGAIN, THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS, CARDS, PRAYERS, SUPPORT......BUT DON'T LET UP ON THE PRAYERS YET, REMEMBER ME EACH TIME YOU BOW YOUR HEAD, OKAY? THANKS.

YOUR RECOVERING FRIEND,

CHARLIE PLUMMER

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO PETE BERKOBEIN AND HIS LOVELY WIFE ZANDRA AND DAUGHTER BETH.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JERRY ZACK AND JEANNINE.

7/27/07

Charlie Plummer home from hospital

Charlie Plummer is home from the hospital without having to undergo surgery. And Charlie says he does not have stomach cancer. He says he's weak, but gaining strength by the moment. He's being treated medically for an inflamed ulcerated mass in his stomach.

Charlie complained of stomach pains several weeks ago and sought medical help by going to the emergency department of the Spring Hill Hospital. Finally being admitted there, tests indicated that radical surgery was needed, but the doctor admitted he had never performed one.

With the help of Pete Berkobein and others he was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. Although there were contradictory reports about his condition from Spring Hill, surgery was scheduled for Monday, June 25. At the last minute the doctor came to Charlie and told him because of inconsistencies in the tests from Spring Hill and St. Joseph's, he wanted to do some more. When results came back that he did not have cancer, the surgery was called off.

Charlie said, "I told him that my body was healing itself and that God had a hand in it. He believed me as the hospital is a very religious place. My doctor was a very emotional guy... he took more and more tests... yesterday (Wednesday) morning he popped in the room and shouted at the door, 'You can go home today, you do not have cancer, your biopsies say benign!'

"Pete Berkobein and Coe were my guardian angels. Pete was at my bedside almost continuously, at least some of each day. Coe hardly left me and he was my advocate, too.

"I had hundreds, maybe thousands praying for me and I have never prayed as much myself. God is good and believe me never doubt the power of prayer. Thanks to all of you I am still here and I am going to get well."

6/28/07

Pam and Bill Stephens of Dayton, Ohio were in Florida last week and took time to visit with the group of alumni residing there. They met for lunch at the Marriott in Tampa.

They talked about the old college days and past reunions… how great it is to keep them alive. They discussed how to get more alumni to attend. They also reminisced about the old campus as Pam has come across some old photos she found in an old newspaper. She says she’s going to try to preserve them.

(Seated: Jerry Zack, Jeanine (Conley) Zack, Pete Berkobein, and Zandra (Alexander) Berkobein; Standing are: Bill Stephens, Pam (Swartzel) Stephens, Charlie Plummer, Nancy Jackson, Terry Jackson)

Charlie Plummer said everyone was asking about Carol McIntosh and everyone commented how great it was to have Pete Berkobein with them. Carol is recovering from a bout with cancer and Pete is back on his feet after an illness earlier this year.

6/11/07

Indianapolis to be site of 2008 Reunion

Your committee members for the College-Conservatory of Music Radio Television Reunion have selected Jim and Sherri Weir as the hosts for next year’s reunion. Indianapolis will be the location for the reunion.

Charles Plummer met with Jim in Indianapolis over the Memorial Day weekend to go over tentative plans. Jim is planning a great reunion which should be fun for all. Plans call for the event to be held at the Courtyard Marriott near Victory Field which is an excellent location. It will more than likely be held on the third weekend of June, 2008.

Pete Bissman is working with the UC Alumni Directory to obtain names and addresses of as many graduates or radio and television majors as possible. If you would like to assist Pet, let him know.

In the next few weeks everything will be finalized as to location and time for the reunion, so the web site on a regular basis as all information will be here.

5/31/07

2006 Broadcaster of the Year

John L. ("Jack") Sander ('64 BM) was named "2006 Broadcaster of the Year" by Broadcasting & Cable magazine. Sander is the vice chairman of Belo Corp.,

which owns and operates the television station WWL in New Orleans, the only station during Hurricane Katrina to stay on the air continuously by delivering the news via its Web site. (From CCM Communique)

1/18/07

Pam (Swartzel) Stephens and Pete Bissman, representing the 1950s and 60s Radio-TV Alumni Group, met with David A. Macejko, Executive Director of the U.C Alumni Association and Karen Tully, Associate Director of Development for CCM on September 28 to discuss ways to work together. Pam said they left the meeting and lunch, “Feeling that we do have friends at the University and that they are anxious to work with us, have us join in some of their festivities, and to join in ours.”

They discussed the Eva Parnell Superior Achievement Award, both as presented to Tom Urich this year and plans for future awardees, as well as plans for a scholarship. Karen will be forwarding the University’s guidelines for setting up a scholarship, such as the processes, legalities, criteria, minimum dollars needed, etc. More information will follow after the committee meets with Scholarship Committee chair Gene Ireland.

Pam and Pete shared some of the history of the Alumni of the 60’s Group, did a great deal of reminiscing and even shared some of the frustrations with the University in the past. Macejko and Tully were very impressed with the close friendships the group has maintained over the years and with its development.

Macejko told of many plans the University has for the future as well as those of CCM. On January 26^th CCM will again host The Moveable Feast. This is an event where attendees can go from area to area at CCM and enjoy entertainment presented by current students. It was suggested that one of the staging areas should be the studios of The E-Media Division so its activities can be highlighted. April 12 and 13, 2007 will see the University in New York City! This is a University-wide event and the group talked of taking advantage of the presence of the Broadcasting Hall of Fame and having some events there for our alumni.

Pete says, “There is another group of CCM alum, the WFIB radio group, from the 1970s which meets occasionally and we hope we can connect with them. George Smith is one of the group. They were the ones that took WFIB to the UC Campus, when CCM moved there and are a bit unhappy that WFIB is no longer on the air. UC now has "Bearcast" which is a web cast, so much for progress."

10/6/06

1950s & 1960s Radio-TV Alumni Group formed

The Alumni Association is providing a new social and professional networking tool called "inCircle." It lets University of Cincinnati alumni from all over the world connect online based on shared interests, common acquaintances, professions, location, and more!

The 1950s & 1960s Alumni have created a group just for its interests. So far, Pam Stephens, Ed Marks, Bill Felker and Alumni Director David Macejko have joined.

There are pictures of the 2006 Reunion with some additional pictures supplied by David Macejko.

It's easy to join. Just click on the inCircle logo below and follow directions.

9/17/06