By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
It's difficult to keep secrets from Mr. Great Bend. Yet Scott Donovan had no idea what was in store for him at Saturday's Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet. The past 40 years, his work at Eagle Radio made the voice recognizable. His work on many area boards and committees, and his time volunteering or emceeing community events, made his face a popular one. Saturday, he added another honor to his resume.
"It was a shock," he said. "It was a great time. I heard from so many people on Saturday night and Sunday, and I just appreciate everybody's thoughts. You really don't think about the activities you're involved in all of your life until they start adding up."
Jon Prescott, Barry Bowers, and Leonard Kaiser nominated Donovan for the honor nearly a year ago. All are longtime friends who know of his volunteer work for some 18 local and state agencies. He's done big work with the Knights of Columbus, Central Kansas CASA, Sunflower Diversified Servies, Optimist Club, Barton County Relay for Life, and many more. Bowers presented the award and could not believe Donovan was not already a winner. But no one spilled the beans that he'd actually won.
"These guys are great secret keepers, and they're all great community people," Donovan said. "I've learned so much from all of them, and so much from the people that I've been around and been with all the way, not to mention Eagle Communications. There are so many opportunities working for this company and this radio group that you have to network with folks and be involved with the community. And really, that's what it's all about."
Donovan, born and raised in Great Bend as Darrel Bieker, also thanked his wife of 27 years, Mary, and their two girls, Michala and Emma.
"I think of all the times my family stood behind me on things," he said. "There were events I couldn't attend because I was doing other things. I have a very thoughtful wife, and very thoughtful girls. They understand, now, that's what it takes to get things done in the community."
Donovan has remained active in the community because he enjoys seeing people smile as they make the community a better place. Donovan is known for his emcee work with the Sunflower Diversity Services Charity Gala, CASA Chocolate Auction, Ducks Unlimited Banquet, and the chamber banquet for 25 years.
"This is one of the biggest giving communities anywhere," he said. "They understand if they have a little, they can help a little. That's what it's all about. There are so many great people in this community that I've worked for and worked with. Many of them are no longer even with us, but still their legacy continues. I think that's what's so important about the place we live here in Great Bend."
His life could have been different. Coming out of high school, Donovan was interested in rocks and geology and pondered a future in the oil business. With no certainty there, he deejayed some dances in high school, spinning old vinyl records, and worked at a club north of Great Bend. Then the radio came calling with a part-time, overnight position.
"I think a lot of people will remember I did this dedication hour from 9-10 every night," he said. "A lot of people dedicated songs. That's really how I got started. It's been an incredible ride working for the late Bob Schmidt and now this company."
Donovan working in a small market like Great Bend has allowed him many opportunities he may not have had in larger markets, including serving on the board for the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, and serving as its president for two years.
The Citizen of the Year award is the chamber's way of recognizing outstanding individual community service. Dr. Perry Smith was the recipient in 2021.