Retired News Director and Contributing Editor for AccessWDUN Ken Stanford was inducted to the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Saturday, October 26.
"After learning this summer I had been nominated... whether I got in or not, just being nominated was a great honor," said Stanford. "I will be 75 in December. That means it was 70 years ago, give or take a year, when at the age of five or six I decided I wanted to be a 'radio announcer.'"
Stanford was recognized for his career achievements.
He worked for Jacobs Media Corporation - WDUN, AccessNorthGa.com (now AccessWDUN) and its entities for 40 years. He began as a disc jockey in 1964, later spent three years at WBIE in Marietta, Ga., before returning to WDUN in 1971. Shortly after that, he became news director, a position he held for the next 40+ years before retiring in 2011. Stanford said during Jacobs Media's 70th anniversary that his career at the Gainesville station gave him exceptional opportunities, including lunch at the White House with Vice President George H.W. Bush at his table, a trip to then-Soviet Georgia and a stop in Moscow with the Friendship Force, and covering the 1996 Olympics.
Now, Stanford remains a staple of Gainesville journalism and continues to contribute to AccessWDUN on a part-time basis.
"It's well deserved after all that he has done in his career in radio," said Jacobs Media President and CEO Jay Jacobs. "He is the greatest newsman I've ever known."
Prior to his work with Jacobs Media, Stanford worked at WMTM in Moultrie (his hometown), WAKE in Atlanta and WBIE in Marietta. His first job was at the age of 15 at WMTM, "And I never looked back," he said.
Stanford said he couldn't have done it without support. "I have to mention that along the way I've worked with and for some pretty special people who certainly have to get credit for a large part in all of this." He has also previously credited his wife, Sandra, and daughter, Lisa, for helping him get through the hustle and bustle of the news world.
Stanford also served six years in the Air Force Reserves.
Eight other nominees were inducted alongside Stanford, including former WDUN personality Sabrina Gibbons. Gibbons now works as news anchor for WSB radio in Atlanta.
