On Sunday, Keith Brand signed off for the last time as the host of Sleepy Hollow on WXPN after 27 years behind the microphone.  Over those years, he produced a unique, intelligent and worldly music program that was a regular part of many Philadelphian’s Sunday mornings. Keith spent endless hours pre-producing his entertaining and eclectic mix of music. Keith could weave nimbly through the likes of Edith Piaf, Pink Martini, Richard or Teddy Thompson, TV on the Radio, Serge Gainsbourg, and of course Francis Lai’s Theme from Claude Lelouch’s 1996 film A Man and A Woman. Personally, I will miss Keith’s regular attention to film scores on Sleepy Hollow.  Over the years, Keith has exposed his audience to some of the best modern composers working in the industry.

Keith’s departure from Sleepy Hollow at WXPN in Philadelphia received national attention.  National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition devoted a segment to honoring Keith Brand’s work and discussing the bands that got their first radio airplay on Sleepy Hollow. They also mentioned that Keith was taking over as the new Chair of the Department of Radio, Television and Film at Rowan University. Sunday Mornings in Philadelphia won’t be the same without Keith’s masterful mixes, but the Radio, Television and Film Department at Rowan University is lucky to have Keith as our incoming chair.

Congratulations to Keith and thanks for all the great music.

Heroin High, a WGLS-FM documentary about the drug culture in South Jersey high schools, won first place in the Best Radio Feature category of the Garden State Journalists Association awards competition.

Rowan University students Joe Mineo, Allie Volpe, and Robert Zettlemoyer developed Heroin High, a 30-minute documentary focused on the impact of drugs on South Jersey high school students.

Produced in conjunction with WGLS-FM Interim Station Manager Derek Jones’s Radio Production class, the program competed with other entries from non-commercial and commercial radio stations during the competition.

The Garden State Journalists Association awards competition celebrates the best in radio, television, photography, and journalism from the New Jersey/New York region.

Winners will be honored at the organization’s 66th Annual Journalism Awards Dinner at The Chart House in Weehawken, NJ on Thursday, May 23.

Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM has won 222 national and regional awards since 1993.

By guest author Priyal Dubal

Rowan University’s own college television network strives to make a difference. For the sixth year in a row, the Rowan Television Network will host a telethon on Wednesday, April 10th, 2013, raising donation money in a five-hour live broadcast for a charity chosen by the club. The funding goal rises each year, with this year’s goal at $7,500 towards Restore The Shore Projects and Waves for Water New Jersey Sandy Relief Initiative. The club is honored to do their part in helping the victims from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Tune in to see live bands, comedy acts, and special guest interviews on set and at locations that were affected by the storm, such as Atlantic City, Wildwood, Ocean City, and more.

The Rowan Television Network is a student run organization that programs Channel 5 on the Rowan University campus and a simulcast web stream 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where the telethon event will be hosted live from 7pm to midnight. The club is open to all majors, consisting of active members who take their personal time to learn more about television production while helping the Rowan University community with video production services.  RTN covers live campus events, including athletic competitions, homecoming festivities, theatrical and variety show performances, and guest speakers.

With over 60 crew members, many that were affected by the storm, and several months of preparation, executive producers Chelsea Dobrucki and Vin D’Anton worked hard to help out for a cause that hits close to home. While personally speaking with the founders of Restore The Shore Projects, Waves for Water, and Ergo Clothing, they were able to reach out to various people who were willing to contribute their stories, photos, and videos about their impact from Hurricane Sandy. Also in contribution will be official promotional shirts and posters created by Rowan University student and Ergo designer Derek Koch, and a variety of talent and acts performing to help out the cause.

The Rowan Television Network hopes to see success in their efforts not only due to their undertaking to achieve this goal, but in hopes to create a community of people coming together for the meaningful message of helping out your neighbors. Stay connected by visiting www.rtntelethon.com