Brizendine’s persistence paid off when the station gave him his first job in radio, but he said the skills he learned as a communication and theatre major are what ultimately played a major role in his ability move up in the industry.

“Learning how to manage and work with different people has had one of the most prominent impacts on my career. Knowing how to work with a diverse group of people has been critical to my success,” said Brizendine, who is known professionally and on-air as Pepper Daniels.

He says that his experience at IC expanded his worldview and the broad range of his studies gave him the adaptability and confidence to explore a variety of careers to find what he is passionate about. After graduation he went to San Francisco where he studied theatre at American Conservatory Theatre. He returned to Jacksonville in 1997 and starting doing the morning show at WJVO (Country), soon becoming program director until an opportunity to return to radio in California arose. Today he is the program director of KKJG (Country), KSTT (Pop/ AC) and News Talk 920AM, KVEC, the oldest radio station in the county. Although he chose to pursue radio over the theatre, Brizendine says he still uses the performing skills he acquired as a student.

Rob Martier ’95 said majoring in communication and theatre at IC also prepared him for radio, and helped him to fulfill his dream of becoming a broadcast journalist in one of the most competitive markets in the country.

“Quite simply, I’m well-rounded,” said Martier. “IC afforded me the opportunity to sample many different areas of study and life.”

As a student, Martier found many mentors on the Hilltop. Coming from a large high school, he knew he wanted something different than what a “cookie-cutter, huge university” could offer him.

He gained work experience at the Jacksonville Journal-Courier newspaper and completed a semester-long internship at Walt Disney World in Florida while maintaining full credits. He said very few colleges could have competed with the opportunities and support he received at IC.

“I’ve always worked within the media in one way, shape or form. My B.A. from Illinois College allowed doors to remain open that otherwise would have closed because of the broad range of coursework. Because of my IC education and subsequent work experience, I’ve achieved my dream of covering news and sports professionally,” said Martier.

Martier anchored sports and did play-by-play while at CJAD 800 in Montreal, Canada, and can currently be heard as the evening news anchor at WGN Radio in Chicago. Now established in his career, Martier is interested in taking the role of mentor for future generations of students who are interested in similar careers, especially students at IC, who he advises should own their abilities and not be afraid to flaunt them.

When asked what advice he would give to those students studying the arts, he said, “Today, a bachelor of arts is a huge asset. Employers are looking for competent people who can handle different tasks all at once.”