Friday, March 1 marks the 20th year that Scott Donovan has been a Marketing Representative for Eagle Communications in Great Bend. And after more than 40 years of being on the air, March 1 is also his last day with the local radio station.
Donovan started his radio career in July of 1983 as a nighttime radio DJ on KHOK, host of the famous “Dedication Hour.” On July 13, 2022, he wrapped up 33 years as the morning show host on KHOK. He remembers when the station switched from a pop/rock format to 100.7 Eagle Country in 1994. “We changed the way people listened to radio," he said. "At least we stilled played music from the Eagles.”
Donovan is an Eagle Employee Owner who has been recognized 28 times by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) with awards in radio production, programs, and promotions throughout his 40-plus-year career. He was the Chairman of the KAB in 2002, and has served as the President of the KAB Foundation Board. Donovan also received the “Sonny Slater Award” in 2017, the Bob Schmidt “Community Service Award” in 2018, and the Mike Oatman Award for Broadcast Sales Excellence in 2021. He has been recognized as the Eagle Communications Great Bend Market Leader in radio sales for 19 years from 2005 to 2023. He was also recognized this past Tuesday as Eagle Communications Top Gun Award winner for the fifth time with a sales total of $949,044 in 2023.
"Building relationships with people and helping businesses grow is the key to success in sales," said Donovan. 'Local and Live' were my two favorite words in this industry."
Locally, Donovan is the president of the Great Bend Knights of Columbus Club. He is also a board member of Sunflower Diversified Services, Great Bend High School Site Council, and Eagle Communications 2020 Leadership Class. He was a former member and past president of the Great Bend Optimist Club, twice, Central Kansas CASA, Great Bend Zoological Society, Great Bend Noon Lions Club, and Job Fest. He was a member of the Pastoral Council for eight years and the Prince of Peace Confirmation Life Teen Committee. Donovan was the 2006 chair of the Barton County Relay for Life and a Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for six years. He also volunteers as an emcee for many local fundraising banquets and events.
Donovan was the recipient of the 2008 Great Bend Greater Award from the Great Bend Kiwanis Club. He and his family were recognized as the Dodge City Diocese Knights of Columbus “Family of the Year” in 2006. He earned the Distinguished Graduate Award from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in 2007, and is a National Distinguished Service Award winner from the Boy Scouts of America in 1986. He was also the North Central Region Chief for the Order of the Arrow from 1982-1984.
Scott and his wife, Mary, are the parents of two beautiful girls, Michala and Emma, who live in Salina and Kansas City. He is also a cancer survivor and a lifetime resident of Great Bend.