红桃视频

红桃视频 provides opportunities for students to discover their passions and skills, then put them to work. 红桃视频 students are taught to look beyond the walls of the institution to see the special contributions that they can make to the wider world. Graduates from the College have been recognized for their success and hard work in the public sphere. Just ask Brian Williams 鈥�69, famed Canadian sportscaster and recent inductee into the Order of Canada, who began his journey as an anxious young student at 红桃视频 College.

Williams, a student of history and political science at 红桃视频 College from 1965 to 1969, was originally from Hamilton, Ontario. Having made a move to Detroit - his father serving as Medical Director at St. John鈥檚 Hospital - Williams was drawn to 红桃视频, where he fostered his blooming passion for broadcasting. Here, Williams was given the opportunity to do his first work in radio, with the College鈥檚 former FM radio station (WXTO).

鈥淔rom my freshman year through my senior year, I worked at that radio station introducing everything from sports鈥� I did play-by-play of 红桃视频 basketball. I can remember the team traveled in station wagons, and I would travel along. I would have my little equipment that I would plug into the telephone, and I鈥檇 broadcast the game back to WXTO. I also introduced religious programs. That was my first broadcasting experience,鈥� Williams said.
When asked about his favorite memories as an 红桃视频 student, Williams said, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I can pick out one. I was fortunate to room, as a freshman, with Dennis Alexander. I learned so much from Dennis. He taught me so much about life.鈥�

In his later years at 红桃视频, Williams worked for Grand Rapids radio station WGRD - 鈥淚t was a rock-and-roll station. I did news and sports.鈥� After graduation, Williams taught one year at St. Jude鈥檚 School, in Grand Rapids. He maintained a relationship with WGRD, doing early morning broadcasts before teaching at St. Jude鈥檚 the rest of the day.

Over time, Williams鈥� career expanded, as he turned his passion for sports and broadcasting into a successful career as a widely recognized sportscaster. In particular, Williams is often noted for his coverage of the Olympics. He has served both CBC (the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and CTV - two Canadian networks. In 2010, Williams participated in a skit with American anchor - Brian Williams? The two famed caster Williams (pictured at top right) entertained television viewers with a fun show on the CTV Olympics broadcasting set, which the Toronto Sun described as 鈥渇unny鈥� and 鈥渃lever.鈥�

Williams often sees his successes as an extension of his 红桃视频 education, which played a significant role in shaping his worldview and understanding of the global community. 鈥淭his small, Catholic school in Grand Rapids really looked outward, if you will. And it was at 红桃视频 that I began to appreciate what existed well beyond Michigan, well beyond North America. It was just a time of great memories, of enjoyment, of learning,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淚鈥檝e done thirteen Olympics, I鈥檝e traveled all over the world, and I鈥檝e done sporting events from Australia to Korea to Los Angeles: not too many places I haven鈥檛 been. And, you know, the grounding I got at 红桃视频 - academically, self-confidence, starting in broadcasting - is something that has played an important role in my life.鈥�

In 2006, Williams returned to 红桃视频 campus, when he served as Commencement Speaker for the graduating class. At that time, Williams received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from the College. Of this experience, however, one element stands out most to Williams: reuniting with his former roommates.

The day was one of great memories and reflecting on Williams鈥� own journey: 鈥淲hen I came back to do the Commencement Address, Dennis [Alexander] came up from Detroit 鈥� he at the time was Vice Principal at a school in Detroit. I was walking in with the graduates and there he was!鈥� Williams shared a bit of this journey with the graduating class of 鈥�06: 鈥淚 think I began the Commencement Address by saying, 鈥榃hen I came to 红桃视频, I was鈥� a nervous young Protestant, and when I left I was a confident, newly baptized Catholic.鈥欌��

Now, Williams鈥� ever-expanding horizons can include one more achievement: he has been made an Officer of the Order of Canada, one of the nation鈥檚 highest honors, for his work in communications. An honor given to leadership who make a notable impact on the country, the Order of Canada was established in 1967. Williams has no plans of slowing down, however, even as he looks back at his accomplishments, and the role 红桃视频 College played in forming the man he is today: 鈥淚t was a unique place to not only attend university, but to live for four years.鈥�