2009

Denny Cheatham

A photographer/videographer for WHIO-TV for 46 years.  Whenever news happened in Dayton, you could count on Denny to be on the scene filming/taping for Newscenter 7.  He won numerous awards over the years for his work and now is so honored by being inducted into the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

Cheatham joined Channel 7 as a studio technician in 1963 and soon became one of WHIO’s top videographers.

Arlen "Bucky" Bockhorn

A former guard for the NBA Cincinnati Royals and former University Of Dayton star basketball player, he is a member of the U. D. Hall Of Fame and All Century Team.  Bucky has provided color commentary on University of Dayton radio broadcasts since 1970 and is now saluted for his on-air work by his induction into the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame

Marsha Bonhart

A news anchor/reporter on Dayton television for decades, Marsha currently anchors the noon, 5:30 and 6 PM newscasts for WDTN-TV 2.  She’s been employed at Channel 2 since 1988. Marsha was also previously on the air at WKEF-TV, Channel 22.  Marsha has won numerous awards for her reporting over the years, along with a news Emmy nomination for a story on “Crack Addicted Babies.”  Her TV work and her work in the community at large brings her induction into the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

*Prior to coming to 2 NEWS in March of 1988, Bonhart was with Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, where she served as Media Coordinator. Prior to that, she held positions at KTTV, Los Angeles, WKEF-TV, Dayton, WDHO-TV, Toledo, and WMHE-FM Radio, Toledo.

In 1999, Bonhart received the “304” Award from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. In 2000, she received the “Top 15 Friends” award from Artemis Center for Alternatives to Domestic Violence and in 2003 she was selected as Dayton Daily News Top Ten Women. In 2009, she was selected as a Woman of Influence by the Dayton YWCA, also in 2009, the Dayton African American CEOs honored her as a Top Ten African American Woman. (*Source WDTN.com)

A.J. Brown

The former News Director of WONE and WTUE Radio.   His career started at the station in 1970 as a beat reporter.  A.J. managed a staff of 5 full time and a number of part time reporters – quite an achievement for a black newsperson at the time.  During his tenure as News Director, WONE and WTUE were often tops in the ratings and won numerous news reporting awards.  He was also heavily involved in the growth of Omega Baptist Church serving on its Board of Directors.  Now, we proudly reward his work and efforts with induction into the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

Deborah Parenti

Deborah began her career in the marketing and advertising department at WING Radio in 1968.  She became Vice-President and Assistant General Manager of the station in 1979, and became Vice President and General Manager of American Radio Systems of Dayton, in 1986 which later was sold to Clear Channel Communications.  She was named one of the top 50 Most Influential Women in Radio in 2008 and today is the Vice President and General Manager at Radio Ink magazine. Her leadership in Dayton radio now leads her to induction in the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

Deborah Parenti is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned positions in her hometown of Dayton, as well as Louisville and Philadephia. Her range of experience includes promotion, marketing, business management, sales and sales and general management. She broke the glass ceiling in Dayton as the first woman to manage a radio station in the market and established one of the first consolidated operations in the country, as well as designed and branded an innovative multi-station selling platform in 1996, “Radio First!”

Teresa Weaver

A former part-time anchor for WKEF-TV, Channel 22, Teresa would eventually find a new home behind the news assignment desk at WDTN-TV, Channel 2, as Assignment Manager.  There, her former on-air skills have helped her keep the channel 2 staff of reporters and photographers on the streets and on top of the news for many years.  Her hard work and dedication to keeping Daytonians informed now brings her the honor of induction into the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

Dr. John C. "Turk" Logan

“Turk” Logan began his radio career in 1970 at WDAO-FM Radio. (107.7)  He eventually became the station’s Program Director and would later be credited as the person who created and promoted what is now known as “The Dayton Sound” of Soul and R & B music from the 1970’s, helping to bring success to local groups such as The Ohio Players, Heatwave, Dayton and others.  After leaving WDAO, he would eventually take over as General Manager for WCSU-FM at Central State University, where he worked until his recent retirement. A true pioneer of Urban radio, we are proud to induct him into the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame

Toula Stamm

For many years, Toula was the producer for the WHIO-AM radio program “Conversation Piece”, lining up top local and national notables and celebrities to be guests on the daily interview show.  Over the years, Toula’s efforts brought in names like the Rev. Billy Graham, Joe Garagiola, Telly Savalas, moonwalker Buzz Aldrin and others.  In fact, a “TV” version of Conversation Piece is what Dayton Broadcast Hall of Famer Phil Donahue had in mind when he launched his TV show in the 60’s on the former WLWD-TV (Channel 2).

Toula’s broadcast efforts along with her commitment and dedication to the Dayton community at large now brings her a hearty welcome to the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

Gene "By Golly" Barry

Though Gene left us in 2001, his legacy lives on in the memories of thousands and thousands of (former) Dayton teens.  He was the “platter pal” of a generation…the nighttime rock and roll DJ on WING Radio who, in his day, could command better than 50% of the nighttime radio audience.  

After leaving WING in 1964, he was one of the “idea” men who helped launch WDAO-FM radio as the first FM station in America targeting the black audience. He also served as one of ‘DAO’s first DJ’s. He would return to WING in the 70’s, during which time he helped raise $40-thousand dollars for victims of the Xenia tornado.

Then returned again in the late 1980’s for one last radio trip around the block with a Saturday Night oldies show on WING.  And many of his listeners thank him today for his efforts at mentoring them…as he now joins the ranks of the inductees of the Dayton Broadcaster’s Hall Of Fame.

Click on the play button below to hear Gene Barry’s famous sign off.

Idotha "Bootsie" Neal Community Service Award

Idotha “Bootsie” Neal is a native of Newbern, Alabama, but lived most of her childhood in Buffalo, New York. After graduating from high school, she earned her BA at Howard University in Washington D.C. She moved to Dayton in 1974 and pursued her postgraduate education at the University of Dayton. She earned degrees in Counselor Education and Public Administration and is a licensed counselor and social worker.

In 1989, she was appointed by the Governor of the State of Ohio to serve as Commissioner on the Ohio Lottery. In 1991, Neal was the first African American woman elected to serve as Dayton City Commissioner. As commissioner, Neal was instrumental in the neighborhood redevelopment efforts in the Wright Dunbar Business District. Later she would become President of Wright Dunbar Inc., a non-profit organization committed to this revitalization project, a leadership position which she held until 2014.

Neal also served as the Director of Central State University, Dayton campus for eighteen years and as an adjunct professor for 24 years. During this time, she and Margaret Peters (Dayton historian, whom we wrote about last week) organized a “Lunchtime Lecture Series” in 2001 at the University of Dayton to celebrate Black History Month.

Bootsie Neal has committed her time and efforts to advocating for children, families, and development of her community. She has been active with several community organizations among which include Montgomery County Children’s Services for the Love of Children program, Habitat for Humanity, the Downtown Dayton Partnership Vision Committee, and the National Council of Negro Women. She has received numerous awards for her outstanding work and service including the Paul Laurence Dunbar Humanitarianism award, the Martin Luther King Image award, John Ellis Volunteer of the Year, and Dayton’s Top Ten Women.