John Woodson Named RTV Department Head at Tri-County

CONTACT: JOHN WOODSON, EXT. 1313

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/29/2002
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Radio personality and WRIX General Manager John Woodson returns to his alma mater August 1 to lead Tri-County Technical College's Radio and Television Broadcasting (RTV) department.

He will depart WRIX 103 on July 31 and begins his new job at Tri-County August 1. Woodson replaces Charlie Jordan, who is retiring after heading the department for the last 32 years.

Since 1983, Woodson has worked at the Anderson station in every aspect of radio broadcasting, including DJ, production manager, program director general manager and the co-host of the Talk 103 morning show.

"Teaching has always been a goal of mine," said Woodson, who is a 1985 graduate of the RTV department. At the suggestion of an announcer friend, he entered the program about a year after high school. "I not only gained an education, but I found direction through Department Head Charlie Jordan. By the end of the first quarter, I had found a job at WRIX – Charlie really helped with job placement," he said.

Woodson also holds an associate in Arts from Tri-County (1994) and a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Anderson College (1997).

He taught broadcasting classes at Tri-County on a part-time basis from 1993 – 97, and says, "It's one of the most gratifying things I've ever done. I regretted leaving as an adjunct in 1997, but that's when I took over the morning show (following the death of WRIX station owner Matt Phillips)".

Over the years, Woodson says he hired several RTV students "because I know the curriculum, and Charlie always sent me people who hit the ground running and needed little training. I want to continue Charlie's philosophy of taking care of students and inspiring them. He has been a good friend and mentor to me."

Teaching full-time will give Woodson the best of both worlds, he said.

"I've been around Tri-County almost 20 years, and I'm here to stay," he added.

Woodson also is a member of the S.C. Broadcaster's Association and serves on its board of directors.

He has three children.
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