Mark Pennell
Mark Pennell is our somewhat colorful, morning and mid-day personality. He joined the staff of WKSU in the early fall of 1996. Since arriving he has claimed “Announcer of the Year” for 1997 in public radio. Previously, he could have been heard on WOSU in his native city, Columbus. He also is a voice-over talent in radio and TV. Prior experience has come from other radio stations in the Midwest region. He studied at Ohio State University in Communications. Mark’s family of two sons, a daughter and wife, Amy (an artist), reside in a historical home in north Kent. The character and history of the house is wonderful, but the house needs a new furnace (the old one reminds him of Marianne, the steam shovel from a favorite children’s book), and Mark spent his whole summer last year painting and repairing the house. Oh, well, it comes with the territory. He still likes it. Mark is an active member in his church, Riverwood Community Chapel. His hobbies are: golf (he stinks at it), and cars (his dream-car, a Mini Cooper is only driven when the weather is good which is why he only puts about 5,000 miles on it a year). History is a special hobby for Mark, as one could tell by listening to his show. Mark’s favorite parts of his show are the facts and amusing tidbits on the composers that he shares with listeners. He feels this brings a sense of connection and humility to classical music that is greatly needed, so that everyone can enjoy it. A brief bio on Mark’s favorites: Composer: Depends on the time of day Piece: Schubert’s “Unfinished” symphony Artist: Peter Serkin or Michael Murray Color: Green or red Food: Steak, “Dump” (a concoction of maple sausage, hashbrowns, eggs, and cheese wrapped in a soft tortilla shell) and Graters ice cream (Mint Chocolate Chip) From Mark—“Moving to Kent has been one of the best things I have ever done. It’s been a very good experience for me and my family. The people are genuinely nice and really interested in listening to WKSU. The countryside is truly beautiful too. Northeast Ohio has a wonderful support for the arts and I enjoy being in that company.”
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On this date in 1922, a first in radio would change the whole landscape moving forward. And in 1965, a new sandwich shop opened that remains as popular...
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On this date in 1877, Thomas Edison introduced an invention that gave users the ability to reproduce recorded sound.
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It was on this date in 1892 that the first long-distance phone call took place between the mayors of New York City and Chicago. And it was on this date in 1932 that the first radio broadcast from a moving train occurred. -
It was on this date in 1933 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act which legalized the sale of beer and wine containing up to 3% alcohol. And it was on this date in 1941 that James Stewart was inducted into the United States Army, becoming the first major movie star to wear a military uniform in World War II. -
It was on this date in 1687 that explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle was killed by his crew in a mutiny. And it was on this date in 1863 that the Confederate naval ship Georgiana was sunk to avoid capture by Union forces. -
It was on this date in 1867 that Joseph Lister published his first article outlying the discovery of antiseptic surgery. And it was on this date in 1935 that Adolf Hitler openly ordered German rearmament, in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles' agreed-to terms. -
It was on this date in 44 B.C. that Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by Brutus and several others from the Roman Senate. And it was on this date in 1892 that Jesse W. Reno received the first patent for the escalator. -
It was on this date in 1888 that one of the worst blizzards took place in the U.S. It was the Great Blizzard of 1888. Hurricane-strength winds were clocked in New York City. And it was on this date in 1957 that Charles Van Doren finally lost on the TV game show Twenty-One. The show had been rigged by the producers and he was in on it. -
It was on this date in 1849 that Abraham Lincoln became the only future U.S. President to file a patent. It was for a device to lift a boat over obstructions. A copy of the scale model of this invention is now on display at the Smithsonian. -
It was on this date in 1930 that Babe Ruth made headlines by signing a massive contract with the New York Yankees. And it was on this date in 1962 that The Beatles made their television debut on the BBC in the U.K.
