A Niagara College alum has been recognized as an outstanding Canadian broadcaster with the Allen Waters Young Broadcaster of the Year Award.
Luke Rodriguez (Broadcast-Radio, Television, and Film, 2015) was presented with the annual award during Canadian Music Week (CMW) in June.
“This award means the absolute world to me, and I am so grateful that I was chosen as this year’s recipient” Rodriguez said. “I owe the people at Niagara College a debt of gratitude for giving me the skills needed to enter the world of broadcasting. BRTF gave me the tools I needed to succeed.”
His instructors recall Rodriguez as a talented student. One even compared him to a well-known
former American Idol host.
“He was a true ‘radio geek,’ and I mean that in the best way,” said School of Media Studies professor Bruce Gilbert. “He ran an online radio station out of his mom’s basement and he dreamed of being on Virgin 99.9 in Toronto. Luke achieved that goal years ago and is now back to help out with Marilyn Dennis on the CHUM Morning Show. Another real Canadian radio dream realized before 30!”
Added Gilbert: “When Luke was a young student, I once compared him to Ryan Seacrest. He’s his own person now, and a major talent in his own right.”
Likewise, BRTF Program Co-ordinator Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg remembers Rodriguez’s broadcasting talent.
“He was a natural from Day 1,” VandenBerg said. “We’re all so proud of him.”
Rodriguez said he left Niagara College feeling like he had a “running start,” when he landed his first full-time job in radio, thanks to the guidance he received from Gilbert, VandenBerg and BRTF faculty.
“I can’t thank the teachers and mentors in that program enough for the doors they opened up in my career,” he said.
Named in memory of legendary radio programmer Steve Young, the Allen Waters Young Broadcaster of the Year Award celebrates the remarkable talent of Canada’s young broadcasters. Winners must be under the age of 30, work in a programming department and have made a significant, documented contribution to the community they serve, the radio industry or their craft.
Rodriguez is currently the host of afternoon drive on Edmonton’s 104.9 Virgin Radio and the station’s assistant program director.
