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Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni Award – 2022

88.1 the Park will honor three deserving alums when the station presents the Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni Award on Wednesday June 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the VisTa Tech Center at Schoolcraft College in Livonia.  The honors will be presented at the station’s annual banquet.

This year’s honorees are Tim McGuire, Plymouth-Salem ’84, Brook Eddy, Plymouth-Canton ’92, and Denny Kapp, Catholic Central ’98.

The award was created in the Spring of 2017 in honor of former WSDP Station Manager, Andrew Melin.  The purpose of the award is to recognize WSDP Alums that have used their experience at the station to further the mission of WSDP by achieving success in their chosen career field; investing in the lives of young people; or supporting their local community. It is the hope of the station’s management that the honorees will serve as role models for future students at 88.1.

“Check. 1. 2. 1-2-3. Check check,”  Tim McGuire is pretty sure that’s the first thing he ever said into a WSDP microphone. Like so many station alums, WSDP was his launching point into a lifetime of adventure behind a mic.  To this day, variations of characters born on his WSDP show still surface during voice acting auditions. His on air career began in high school, and then he moved, thanks to a recommendation from fellow alum Todd Chatman, who had already landed a gig at KGBS in Greeley, Colorado. His rock n roll radio career went From Colorado, to various stations across the country, finally landing in Public Radio, at WFSU in Tallahassee, Florida. He’s been the Operations Manager for Public Radio Stations WFSU, WFSQ, and WFSW for almost 20 years, and is the Station Announcer for WFSU.  He’s worked in the National Football League as the Stadium PA Announcer for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tim also spent a decade broadcast engineering for Florida State football and basketball, home and away radio broadcasts, with Hall of Fame Broadcaster Gene Deckerhoff. He wrapped up his DJ career, at the end of 2021, signing off for the last time at WGLF, Gulf 104.   He also does freelance voice work from his home studio daily.

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In a characteristically high-risk move, Brook Eddy traveled to India for three months to research a social movement based on universal family and volunteerism. The taste of authentic chai in India sparked an idea that led her in a completely new direction. Brook concocted a craft-brewed fresh ginger chai recipe and launched Bhakti Chai to be a mission driven company. Bhakti was founded with the desire to elevate the tea experience and on the principles of sustainability and supporting women and girls through her Gita Giving platform. Bhakti is now a multi-million dollar business and a leader in the beverage industry. Brook has been profiled in Inc. Magazine, Yoga Journal Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and was one of the five top finalists in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur of The Year Contest—the most prestigious award bestowed upon entrepreneurs today. She has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Colorado, Watson University, and Naropa University. Brook founded GITA (Give. Inspire. Take Action), a social change platform aimed to encourage others to join Bhakti in their work to support women and girls globally and highlight social entrepreneurs.

Denny Kapp graduated in 1998 but never really left WSDP, serving as a mentor to those that followed in his footsteps, as well as a regular contributor to the station’s annual fundraisers.  The 41-year-old absorbed the opportunities and guidance provided to embark on a career that still sees him reporting for national networks and calling games as a play-by-play broadcaster.  Denny has covered multiple NBA Finals, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals and Super Bowl XL for numerous networks including SiriusXM and Associated Press Radio where he was named Stringer of the Year in 2018.  He also calls the basketball and baseball finals for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s state-wide radio network as well as college basketball games on ESPN Plus at the University of Detroit Mercy.

Dr. Andrew Melin is the Executive Director of the Central Indiana Educational Service Center.  He has served as Superintendent for school districts in Indiana.  He served as Station Manager of WSDP from 1982 – 1987.

PAST HONOREES
2017 – June Kirchgatter, Plymouth-Salem ’83
2018 – Rob Milford, Plymouth ’73, and Glenn Bar, Plymouth-Canton ’82
2019 – Mike Schulte, Plymouth-Salem ’78, Scott Herrold Plymouth-Salem ’98, and Jake Bugeja, Starkweather ’02
2020 – David Snyder, Plymouth-Salem ’82 and Patty Williamson, Plymouth Salem ’88
2021 – Paul Sincock, Plymouth-Salem ’75, Todd Chatman, Plymouth-Salem ’83, and Greg Angel, Salem ‘03

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Our Sponsors from the Plymouth-Canton area:
Advanced Orthodontics – Canton
Neehee’s Indian Vegetarian Street Food – Canton
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Plymouth Rotary
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Choice Insurance Agency – Westland