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Columbia remembers Al Parker
Faculty, students, and friends pay tribute to the Man with the Golden Voice I met Al Parker more than 25 years ago; he had already been at Columbia for 25 years, and he quickly became a friend, and a mentor as I began my journey through the maze of Columbia . We had actually attended the same high school, but had never met. I learned one of the most important lessons of being academic dean from Al. We met with an irate mother, who felt her son had been unjustifiably dismissed from his job at the radio station. Al was firm in his conviction that to become successful in radio, students had to understand and accept the concept of a broadcaster’s responsibility. Being late, even once, was unacceptable. I supported his position, and incorporated it into the definition of my role as academic dean. I encouraged the idea that taking responsibility for one’s education and professional behavior are as important in teaching and learning as mastery of the subject matter. I remember the lesson. He was a perfectionist in his work. He was a committed teacher and a valued colleague. He was conscientious in his role as department chair, and supportive to me as dean, and was always cooperative as we worked together to build the College and his department. His sense of humor was legendary. He was modest, he was gentle, and he was a gentleman. I will miss him – and so will the college. Dr. Lya Dym Rosenblum, former Dean of the Graduate School I remember when we were planning the 1996 scholarship fund. I think he knew everyone in TV/Radio. He loved to tell jokes and celebrate our birthdays. My birthday falls on August and he would joke with me that I have an inconvenient birthday because no one is in school at the time. He also did not get into the computer training thing, he said, ‘that’s not for me.’ He was a warm, easy-going guy who did not like confrontation. Hope Daniels, Full-Time Faculty member of Radio Dept He was an amazing mentor, he had a way of making you feel special and identifying all your strengths. He got me my very first job in Radio at WIND. I bought him a bottle of the cheapest champagne and hand carried it to him at WLS-TV, he must of thought it was Dom Perignon. He would also correct you if you mispronounced Chicago. Cheryl Morton-Langston, faculty Radio department The day I heard Al died I left my job and cried. If a four leaf clover had legs I would say it would be named Al Parker. He was a father figure to me. Al would always crack a joke on anything. Al was like the neighbor who would invite you for pop and snacks to watch the game with, that’s how cool he was. Kevin Blanchard, WCRX on-air Personality, Senior Radio and Poetry When he stepped down as chairman we were moving stuff and we stopped and just talked about stuff. He told stories like nobody else. You never got bored hearing Al talk. He also had a funny sense of humor that made him approachable, friendly, and easy to talk to. He was a very easy going person. He made you feel like an individual I learned a lot about radio history from Al that I didn’t know. He also brought in many famous people like Steve Dahl and Roz Varon to his Careers in Radio class. Willy Stevenson, News and Public Affairs Director WCRX-FM 88.1 I’ve known him since 1982, and my field is acoustics. The thing I most admire about him is he knew his field and he knew when to step back and let someone else take over. I think that’s a true mark of a leader. He was the most competent anouncer I knew. If he needed to read a 30 second script he would nail it right on time. He always had a piece of fruit for lunch, never a big eater. He had two hobbies outside teaching and counseling students, which he loved. He collected antique clocks and he wanted to take courses on archeology and go on archeology digs when he retired. One thing that I really appreciated when he resigned is he would support me not second guess me on things, and he kept his word. Doug Jones, Acting Chair Sound deptartment He just lit up the floor. He used to tease me about talking with my hands a lot, he said can you talk without using your hands? I hope when I leave this world I can have a quarter of the impact that Al had on it. Sue Haleem, WLS - Producer for Jay Marvin It’s only fair that such an influence on Chicago radio be remembered for helping so many of us students and alumni. Al will always have a place in my heart and in the hearts of all of us in the media. If you’re anybody in Chicago radio, you’ll always remember Al Parker. Harlin S. Neal, News/ Sports Producer WMBI Radio 90.1 FM When I first met Al he sat me down and made me pronounce Chicago, and wouldn’t let me leave until I got it right. He also sat my mom down and went on with this long speech on how to say Chicago. He came into one of my classes and pulled me out of Mr. Fuller’s Radio Broadcasting II and lectured me about my pronunciation, but in a funny and joking way. He also loved plants. He had this Jade tree that he talked an hour about with my mom the first time I came in to register for Columbia. He also would say correct pronunciation is the key to success. He would correct me on the letter W and Chicago. You wouldn’t want to sleep in class because he would embarrass you, but in a fun way. I remember once this guy was snoring in class and he came up to him and said, “Excuse me, are you having a good time?” He threw a paper ball at him to wake him up. From that we all learned not to sleep in class. He also came up with the senior moment which is a memory that you will remember about college after you graduate. He would also make the time to talk to you. You can call him at home just for a miscellaneous item. I know he watched the news everyday, WBBM radio, he was a news junkie. Vigi Lozano, student and Program Director WCRX Al was a professional’s professional. He had a lot of respect for the technical side of radio. Everyone’s job was as important as anyone else’s. He was also a hard worker, when he recorded voice-overs it didn’t matter if it was a local or national. He always put a 100 percent heart and effort into everything he did. Brett Johnson, Chief Engineer of Radio & Sound deptartment Information compiled by Rich Ryzewski Back to top | Home Webmaster: Sal J. Barry The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students. |
October 9, 2000 This week in Campus News:
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