Ernie Bjorkman
2008
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
They call him the Dean of News Anchors in the Denver market, and at 26 years and counting, the title is well-deserved. Since 1982, he has reported the events – big and small – that make up the evening news. Currently the main anchor at KWGN CW2, Ernie started as a field reporter/anchor for KMGH in Denver and has worked at both stations twice in his career.
Originally from St. Augustine, Florida, Ernie's first job after college was with WPEC-TV in West Palm Beach in 1972, "serving time" as a reporter and photographer. In 1976, he moved his growing family to Atlanta and WSB where he worked as a reporter for 6 years. There he covered Jimmy Carter's rise to the White House and the Atlanta Child Murders. In Denver, he has worked as a reporter, field anchor, main anchor, and managing editor, covering diverse stories such as airline crashes, the Columbine shootings, World Youth Day, the Pope's visit, the Summit of the 8, and the opening of DIA. He has further connected with viewers through features such as "Trading Places" in which he switched roles with trash collectors, donut makers, and the people who change the hockey rink to the basketball court at the Pepsi Center.
Through it all, his genuine interest in people, especially children, shines brightly. He volunteers with Mount St. Vincent home for children, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Boys and Girls Club, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Volunteers of America, and Easter Seals. He also reads to visually-impaired children at the Anchor Center for the Blind.
Married to Susan for 37 years and the father of two grown children, Ernie started Vet Tech school last year so he can open a free spay/neuter clinic in southern Colorado someday.
Ward Lucas
2008
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
In 1973, KIRO-TV in Seattle took a chance and put Ward Lucas on the air as an investigative reporter and weekend anchor. He held that job for two and a half years, eventually winning several reporting awards including an Emmy for an investigative story on industrial arson called "Fire for Hire." This got the attention of KBTV (now KUSA) in Denver, and Ward quickly distinguished himself as the top weekend anchor and the only investigative reporter at the station. His strong presentation both on and off the air helped him to get to the information necessary to produce award-winning stories and helped mold the local television market into one of the most competitive relative to tough journalism.
For the past 32 years, Ward has been a well-known and respected face in the Denver market. Today, his video essays are examples of top-notch storytelling and writing. Ward is the recipient of numerous awards for his work in news, investigative journalism, and writing, including 29 Heartland Emmy nominations and 11 statues.
Ward was born in Kyoto, Japan, the son of a West Point graduate. His younger brother is also a West Pointer, while his older brother was a Marine Corps officer. In fact, the Lucas family has a long tradition of military service, which is why Ward has focused so much attention during his career on those who serve their country in uniform.
Active in the community, Ward served on the board of the Alzheimer's Association from 1996-2002 and was among the first to bring this disease into the light of public awareness, helping to raise the levels of community education and programs. He has also supported the Denver Dumb Friends League for many years by hosting their Furry Scurry event, and he is a passionate advocate for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Suzanne McCarroll
2008
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
Suzanne McCarroll is a reporter with KCNC CBS4 in Denver, a role she has held for 26 years. But ask anyone, and word comes back that she's not just any reporter: "She has the unique ability to combine assertive, get-the-story focus with sincere respect and compassion for vulnerable individuals who are caught up in a tragedy." "... Believes that journalism is a higher calling and a public service." "... Can go from a murder scene to a children's hospital wing and never miss a beat." "... Always puts the story first." "... Any newscast is better if Suzanne is in it." "... Her talent for listening gets the important interviews." "... No ego."
Starting out as a speechwriter at IBM after college, Suzanne ditched the cushy corporate job for the life of a reporter at KIDK in Idaho Falls in 1979. She says it was the best career decision she ever made. From there, she moved to KCGR in Cedar Rapids in 1980, serving as a reporter and weekend anchor. In 1982, she took a job as an entry-level reporter at KCNC. Co-workers and competitors agree that Suzanne is a journalist whose integrity and thoughtfulness engender respect. In fact, she's taught reporting seminars and ethics seminars at the Poynter Institute.
Through it all, she's just as dependable as a mom as she is as a reporter. While she takes her work seriously, everyone agrees that she'd say her most important job is being a mother – to three wonderful children. She's been able to balance the crazy life of a television reporter with family life and make it look easy — no matter how challenging either became. She's a role model and an example to anyone who wants to "have it all."
James Morgese
2008
SILVER CIRCLE INDUCTEE
James Morgese is the President and General Manager of Rocky Mountain PBS in Denver and Grand Junction, Pueblo/Colorado Springs, Durango, and Steamboat Springs. He has been instrumental in growing a local station, KRMA Channel Six (Knowledge for the Rocky Mountain Area), into a network reaching almost 2 million people a week in Colorado. James is a visionary, a community leader, and committed to embracing technology that will enhance the TV:Viewer experience.
His career in public television spans more than 25 years at stations in Florida, Idaho, and Kentucky. Prior to that, he worked in commercial television at both the affiliate (KOA-TV in Denver) and network (NBC New York) level. In 1990, he became the Station Manager for KRMA, then located in the Emily Griffith Opportunity School, and became GM in 1993. Last year, the station celebrated its 50th year of broadcasting. They've been shooting and editing in HD since 2000, have allocated a digital channel exclusively to V-me, a Spanish-language service, and their locally-produced programming regularly wins awards.
James currently serves on the boards of the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross; Digital Directions, Inc.; the Denver Convention and Visitor's Bureau Foundation; the WELLS Center at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment; National Datacast, Inc.; and the Public Television Major Markets Group; as well as the honorary board of the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. James taught for 2 years at the Art Institute of Colorado and is a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Denver class of 2000-01. He earned both his BA and MA from the University of Denver. With his wife Annette, James donates his talent for Italian cooking and his "world-famous marinara" in various recipes to local food banks.