West Virginia Broadcasters Induct Seven New Members

The state's Hall of Fame honors seven media professionals for their significant contributions to West Virginia broadcasting.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Television

West Virginia Broadcasters Induct Seven New Members

Live Poll

Do you believe local institutions like the Broadcasters Hall of Fame properly recognize your community's history?

The West Virginia Broadcasters Hall of Fame is inducting seven professionals into its 2026 class. This ceremony recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field and contributed to the state's cultural heritage.

Why it matters

The Hall of Fame honors broadcasters who bring honor to the state or significantly contribute to its cultural heritage. This annual recognition highlights the long-standing dedication required to maintain excellence in local media.

The 2026 class includes veterans with decades of experience, such as Will Shumate with 48 years in the industry and Susan Nicholas with nearly 40 years of service. Alan Dye also joins after 40 years as the WDTV Creative Services Director.

The players

West Virginia Broadcasters Hall of Fame

This organization recognizes professionals who have made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry and the cultural history of West Virginia.

Museum of Radio and Technology

Located at 1640 Florence Avenue in Huntington, this institution preserves the history of communication technology and serves as the site for the induction ceremony.

The details

The induction ceremony takes place at the Museum of Radio and Technology in Huntington. The public is invited to watch the event through an official livestream, celebrating the careers of the seven honorees including Dave Allen, who brings 38 years of radio experience to the class.

Timeline

  1. The induction ceremony occurs on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

  2. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

Industry Dynamics

The induction follows the established precedent of the West Virginia Broadcasters Hall of Fame annual event, which maintains the state's media history by honoring veteran industry leaders. This tradition highlights the shift from legacy radio and television roots to modern broadcasting standards.

Members of the public can view the induction ceremony live via a scheduled broadcast. This digital access allows residents across West Virginia to celebrate the contributions of these veteran media professionals.

The takeaway

Recognizing long-tenured professionals helps preserve the history of local storytelling and technical expertise. Aspiring broadcasters can learn from these careers, which often span four decades of industry evolution.

Further reading

For more on the state's media landscape, see Television.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WOWK 13 Huntington.

Live Poll

Do you believe local institutions like the Broadcasters Hall of Fame properly recognize your community's history?