WFCF Flagler College Radio celebrates big milestone, and leadership of McCook

By Anna Meyer

WFCF Flagler College Radio aired its first official broadcast on Nov. 1, 1993. Since then, they’ve broadcast 262,968 hours of programming. That’s 10,957 days. Over the last 30 years, WFCF has had over 1,000 students and volunteers participate at the station, both on and off the air.

None of this could have been possible without the work of Dan McCook, who has served as station manager at WFCF since its first broadcast 30 years ago.

Carol Branson, vice president for Marketing and Communication at Flagler College, helped celebrate McCook by speaking at a celebratory gathering for the radio’s milestone anniversary.

“To stand before you and celebrate and acknowledge an extraordinary milestone: Dan McCook’s remarkable 30 years of unwavering dedication to WFCF, his students, and his fellow volunteers,” she said.

Out of everyone who spoke about WFCF at the party, most testimonies were solely about McCook, praising him and all the work he does keeping the station running. Branson’s speech was no different.

“Dan’s passion, expertise, kindness and commitment have shown, rightly casting a warm and lasting glow over our Flagler College,” she said. “We have the joy of working with Dan McCook every single day, and there’s great pride in that.”

Joan Geronimo, host of Ladies of Jazz, also spoke about the important role Dan McCook has played in her life.

“I want to thank Dan for giving me an opportunity over years ago to come in, learn how to work the board, and help cover,” she said.

Geronimo was originally going to work in the dental hygiene industry, but once she was offered a jazz show, she took that instead, and has volunteered at WFCF ever since.

“It’s been a wonderful journey ever since then,” she said.

Dan’s style as a boss is a little out of the ordinary, and Geronimo recognized that in her testimony: “Who else would have a boss who’s willing to share his rescue pets with his volunteers? Who else would bring in his Harris Hawk and let me hold it? So who else would have a great boss like that who would let you do things?”

Maddie Schmidt, another speaker at the celebration, served as WFCF’s student station manager from 2013 until she graduated Flagler College in 2016. Throughout her years, McCook made an impact on her, both personally and professionally.

“I was captivated throughout my years,” she said. “Dan possesses a unique ability to nurture talent and encourage creativity. He is a source of inspiration, a wellspring of wisdom, and a fearless leader.”

Schmidt believes a mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself, and that’s what McCook did for her, and many other students that have been in and out of the station.

“Thank you, Dan, for believing in the station and the students who you have lifted to their greater selves,” she said.

At the party, McCook joked that he “specifically gave them instructions not to make this about me, but the community. Obviously, they didn’t listen.”

Serving as station manager for the last 30 years, McCook had only good things to say about both students and volunteers that have been a part of WFCF throughout the years. When giving out awards, he made sure to provide some sort of testimony for each volunteer, cracking jokes and overall proving how much he cares.

McCook is planning on retiring within the next 5 years, but said he will be sad to leave, and really cannot imagine his life without being involved with WFCF Flagler College Radio.

“So thank you all very, very much,” he said.