88.1 the Park presents Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni Award
88.1 the Park honored three deserving alums when the station presents the Dr. Andrew Melin WSDP Distinguished Alumni Award on Tuesday June 29, at 7:00 p.m. at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center in Plymouth. The honors were presented at the station’s annual banquet.
This year’s honorees are Paul Sincock, Plymouth-Salem ’75, Todd Chatman, Plymouth-Salem ’83, and Greg Angel, Salem ’03.
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, and Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, 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 and P-CEP.
Paul Sincock is a lifelong resident of the City of Plymouth and was a part of the WSDP staff in the “early years” of the radio station from 1973 – 1975. Paul is the City Manager for Plymouth and has served in this role for over 21 years. He is also a regular presenter on Customer Service issues in the United States and Canada. Paul is the long-time public-address announcer for the Salem Football Team. He is also the public address announcer for the Michigan High School Athletic Association State Hockey Finals at USA Arena in Plymouth and has served as a public address announcer for the Salem and Canton Hockey Teams. Paul is a member of the Rotary Club of Plymouth. He has served in many leadership positions in Plymouth Rotary, including Club President and Rotary District Governor. Paul’s passion in Rotary is the Youth Exchange program for high school students. Paul and his wife Traci, a member of the Northville Rotary Club, have hosted numerous exchange students from all parts of the world.
Todd Chatman became fascinated with radio during a school tour of KOA Radio in Denver. His family relocated to Plymouth, which led to an opportunity to join the staff of WSDP. He attended Eastern Michigan University his freshman year of college, where he worked in the news department at WEMU. He stepped away from college for his first job in commercial radio as a mid-day jock at KGBS, a Top 40 station in Greely, Colorado. After being let go, he returned to college at Olivet Nazarene University. From 1987 – 2006, the nomadic life of climbing the radio ladder ensued. Along the way he served in various positions from on-air, to Program Director, to Director of Marketing, Director of Operations for the Detroit Lions Radio Network, and eventually General Manager over a couple different radio stations. He jumped out of radio and into the music business in Nashville, and then worked in national radio production and syndication producing 3 weekly shows. Todd joined Food for the Poor in 2011 as Director of Radio Marketing. In 2018 he joined Dunham+Company, a Dallas-based marketing agency that specializes in helping non-profits advance their mission by raising money. His work with various charities has also allowed him to travel all over the world and most of the United States. Todd and his wife Kristen have 5 grown children, 3 grandchildren, and a dog. They live in West Michigan.
Greg Angel is an award winning Political Reporter for Spectrum News 13 in Orlando, Florida. It’s been a more than 14 year career in broadcast journalism, born through youthful dreams and hands on opportunities presented at WSDP. 88.1provided the first opportunity to learn to ask questions, connect with community leaders, explore the contexts of the world, and dig into stories that become news. With a focus on telling engaging stories, Greg has covered some of the biggest stories in recent history. He was in Orlando in the hours, days, and weeks following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, sharing the stories of the people of Orlando and their resilience in the light of tragedy. He also covered the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in February 2018. Greg has also covered multiple elections in his career, including races for Florida Governor and every presidential election since 2008. In his more than decade-long career, Greg has received multiple awards for his work, including being named Florida Associated Press Broadcasters’ 2019 Reporter of the Year. Greg is a graduate of Central Michigan University and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He has worked in newsrooms in Traverse City, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach, before moving to Orlando, Florida.
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.
88.1 the Park is owned and operated by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. The station has been serving the Plymouth-Canton Community since February 14, 1972.
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