BU Scholars
Paul Noble on John F. Kennedy, Mrs. Roosevelt, Music, Art, and More
Paul Noble was hired through the Boston University Scholars program. Starting in 1959, he and his crew created a strong relationship between WGBH executives and staff, a culture based on humor and fun.
Read MoreRemembering the BU Scholars
In our youth, nothing seemed insurmountable. We approached every challenge with the old Mickey Rooney “Let’s put on a show!” enthusiasm.
Read MoreMorash to receive Lifetime Achievement Emmy
Norm Abram: “As a brilliant creator/producer/director, Russ Morash has used his personal passion and love for well prepared food, gardening, home improvement/repair and woodworking to develop a whole new genre of television programs.”
Read MoreA stranger in a strange land
From Fred Barzyk: Bill insisted I try to get into the scholarship program. You studied for your graduate degree at Boston University and worked three days a week at the Educational Television station. Free tuition and you got $600 to live a year in Boston!
Read MoreWGBH Pioneers: Michael Ambrosino – Part 1 (1998)
Michael Ambrosino — the creator of NOVA — describes his early years at WGBH, an era of live and live-on-tape TV productions at the 84 Massachusetts Avenue studio in Cambridge.
Read MoreSic transit gloria (1959)
From Vic Washkevich WGBH was to launch a new (live, of course) science show, and was looking for an opening that was a bit more dramatic than a 35mm slide of Madame Curie. It was decided that we would place a globe over a pan of water (you can’t make this stuff up, folks) and…
Read MoreClass of ’58 (circa 1985)
From Vic Washkevich Here’s a shot of the entire BU class of 58 (those who completed the year, there were a couple who didn’t) at our next to last reunion, back about 15 years ago. Back – Left to Right: Bob Moscone, Bill Heitz, Don Mallinson and Bob Hall (guest visitor). Front – Left to…
Read MoreChristmas Shows (1957-58)
From Vic Washkevich Each year, the entire station crew taped a Christmas Show sending up anything and everything, anyone and everyone. The tapes were shown at the WGBH Christmas parties. This shot of Frank Vento was taken when our class had to put on a Christmas show in 1957. With Frank is someone named Jerry…
Read MoreThe BU Scholars Crew (1959)
Photo Source Unknown Caption from Al Boyns The notorious Boston University Scholars “Crew of ’59.” Top left to right: Al Kelman, Phil Fields, Tom McGrath, Fred Barzyk, Don Knox, Bert Bell, Sue Dietrich, Dave Nohling, Jim Hennes, John Sunier, John Engel. Bottom left to right: Lew Yeager, Joe (Mark) Mobius, Brooks Leffler, Mel Bernstein. Not…
Read MoreNot the News with Louis Lyons (1950s)
From Vic Washkevich The WGBH viewing audience never saw these two newscasters. Vic Washkevich (who contributed this picture) explains: "Oh, here’s shot of Hartford Gunn (Paul Noble) and Dave Davis (Bill Heitz) reporting the news due to budget constraints and Louis Lyons’ nap.
Read MoreThe BU Scholars program (1957-58)
From Vic Washkevich From on high The Boston Symphony Orchestra was one of the highlights of WGBH programming back in 1957–58. Hey, anything was better than Words, the one-camera show on which I earned my credit as a director. If you recall, symphony rehearsal performances were open to the public. We shot that show with…
Read MoreChristmas Party Shows We Love and Remember (1957-58)
From Paul Noble 1957 — "We’re Gunn’s Blooming Help" Here are excerpts from the Scholars ’58 Original Musical Spectacular, presented Friday, December 20, 1957, at the office Christmas party. Script is by Ed Donlon and Vic Washkevich, songs by Bill Heitz assisted by Jean Brady, and directed by Stewart White. The opening song by the…
Read MoreLiving Places of the Not-so-rich and Occasionally Infamous (1957-63)
From Don Hallock Just around the corner from the former Zebra Lounge, (the present-day Crossroads Tavern, shown in this photo to the right of center) was a pair of apartments at 27 1/2 Massachussetts Avenue, over a greasy spoon eating place which shared a kitchen with the Zebra. The second floor was occupied by Bill…
Read MoreThe Scholars Did It All (1957)
From Vic Washkevich Doing a mental replay of our group’s year at the Dream Factory from ’57 to ’58, I was reminded again of the station’s truly humble beginnings. WGBH was born directly over a luncheonette in what once was must have been a roller skating rink, and baptized by the water sprinkled on God…
Read MoreStories and photos From Studio A (1955)
Images From John (Rocky) Coe Bob Larsen in Studio A Control Room (with Judy Larsen in the background) — August 1955 Story by Michael Greenebaum Performance — String group — Nov. 1955 The photo of the chamber orchestra … is of the first televised concert of Harvard’s Bach Society Orchestra, conducted by me. For all…
Read MoreScholars Training Schedule (1958)
From Dave Nohling
Read MoreThe ’58 Scholars Are At It Yet Again
From Vic Washkevich The WGBH Scholars class of ’58 is having yet another reunion. Gray haired and gimpy, we’re all going up to Newport, RI where classmate Don Mallinson and his lovely wife Eileen will host the group. Of the ten who started out in ’57, eight stayed the course. Sadly, since then we’ve lost…
Read MoreMurray Yeager, 75, Boston University professor and mentor
Don Hallock: Yeager was an inspiring teacher and mentor for BU/WGBH scholars. From the Boston Globe Murray Yaeger, at 75; challenged students at BU When Dr. Murray Yaeger invited colleagues to speak to his famous introductory communication course at Boston University, he made them rehearse. ”Otto, I don’t just want you to lecture. I want…
Read MoreClass of ’58 Continues Their Reunion Tradition
From Vic Washkevich After 45 years, I wonder why we keep this up, but I wouldn’t miss it. Amazing how friendships that are not refreshed regularly keep renewing themselves. This could really be called Mooshine in Vermont. We had a great time at the Donlon’s. Ed actually owns this 1947 tractor and it works (unlike…
Read MoreFrom WGBH to “Camera Three”
From Paul Noble — 2003 John Musilli was one of the original ten in the Scholars ’58 crew arriving in Boston in June, 1957. Fresh from graduation at Seton Hall University, this Paterson, New Jersey, native was one of the best-prepared and most-talented production people ever to climb the stairs at 84 Massachusetts Avenue. John…
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