The Vincennes University Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of the Brad Deetz Broadcasting Scholarship.
Deetz was “bitten by the broadcasting bug” at age 16 with his first job for radio station WBTU in Fort Wayne, Ind. He enrolled at Vincennes University to increase his knowledge and hone his craft, and from there was hired as the afternoon on-air personality for WFML. In 1993 he became the “morning guy” for WWBL and continued with the Original Company. In 2007 he joined DLC Media, advancing to general manager while simultaneously serving as WFML’s voice for The Max 96.7 morning show along with news director Dave Foster (VU ’89).
Thirty years later, in 2014, Deetz still held the same excitement, enjoyment, and vision he’d had had since his very first day back in 1984. For years to come, his one voice will continue to make a difference in the lives of many students. In his own words, “It’s what you do between the songs that makes a difference.”
The life of Brad Deetz was tragically ended in a motorcycle-truck accident on May 7, 2014. Deetz was a dedicated broadcaster, family man, and civic steward. He believed that one voice could make a difference and, in his case, truer words were never spoken. He is survived by his wife Kristi (VU ’89) and their children, Kenneth and Elizabeth.
Kristi offers this observation: “The broadcasting industry played an important role in the life of our family. Over the span of 30 years, Brad was a part of Indiana radio where he shared his talents, insights, and contagious passion for broadcasting. While he mentored many, Brad felt blessed by those he met through his work and he concentrated on making a positive contribution in the life of one person, or an entire community. Our hope is that this scholarship is another way to carry his spirit of civic stewardship forward by helping students who, like Brad, have been undeniably bitten by the “broadcasting bug” and who demonstrate the same earnestness for a career in today’s media world.”
The Deetz Family, along with the VU Foundation, believes Vincennes University has and will continue to have an important role in the higher education system in establishing a strong educational foundation for students in meeting life’s challenges. Beginning in the 2016-2017 academic school year, the scholarship will be awarded to one student at the Vincennes campus who demonstrates great earnestness for a career in the media world. The recipient will be a full-time broadcasting major in either their freshman or sophomore year, traditional or non-traditional, and will be required to maintain a 2.0 GPA during the scholarship period. In awarding the scholarship, preference may be given to applications from Prairie Heights High School in LaGrange, Indiana.
“Brad Deetz was a great man and a true champion of what lies at the core of Broadcasting: Service to others. As broadcasters, our number one mission is to serve the communities we broadcast to and help others who are working to make those communities a great place to live, wherever they may be. What better way to remember Brad and to keep his legacy alive than to help foster that passion to students who are beginning their journey into this great profession. Brad would want nothing more than to help a future broadcaster realize his or her full potential. Our goal is to do just that with this scholarship honoring a great man, friend, and role model,” said Nichole L. Carie (VU ’96), Director of Operations for WVUT-TV and WVUB-FM.