Radio Magic on Cape Cod

As a high school dropout who spent half a dozen years flipping burgers, the idea of going back to school was extremely nerve racking. I was living in South Shore Massachusetts which left me with very little options. I had no credentials to get into a university and did not necessarily want to spend two years in beautiful safe Brockton. I eventually decided to commute across the bridge to Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable. The application and financial aid processes were a breeze and with one visit I was registered for classes and back in school.

The first thing I noticed when visiting the school was the Makkay Broadcasting Center. Upon further investigation, I discovered a full service radio station complete with a program of study for radio broadcasting. I enrolled in Radio Broadcasting I and spent the next two years inside the WKKL trailer. The station and broadcasting curriculum is run by local DJ "Lisa Z". Lisa is not only a true radio professional, but a committed educator as well. It is her commitment and expertise that sets WKKL apart from any other college radio station I have encountered. It also rivals many professional stations as well.

While Lisa is definitely the head honcho at the station, she does not dissuade any student from grabbing the reigns and running with them. During my time at Cape Cod Community College I served as the assistant music director as well as office manager for WKKL. I also had the opportunity to host my own radio show throughout my entire collegiate career there. I took every broadcasting course offered and graduated with an Associates Degree in Communications.

After graduation I moved on to Suffolk University where I earned my Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism. I am currently employed by one of the five largest radio corporations in the country and I owe it all to the small little radio station at "4C's".

I still visit this beautiful Cape Cod campus every spring to attend the radio conference Lisa coordinates. I am always astonished when I return to once again find a new group of students mesmerized by the panel of experts that come to this relatively unknown campus to spread the magic of radio to the next generation of broadcasters. I will always remember how a couple of microphones and one outstanding professor were able to lead me to my calling in life. Cape Cod Community College is a one of a kind experience that can produced exceptional results.