An Interview with Ed Donahue
Class of 1985
by Meredith Bormann, '99

If you tune into WBZ Radio some weekend, and catch the news programs on the half-hour and hour, the odds that you'll hear the voice of Ed Donahue reporting from various locations around the city is extremely high. Ed, a graduate of the class of '85, is one of the station's most versatile reporters, called upon to covert stories ranging from the mundane -- "the Flower Show at the Bayside Exposition Center opened today" -- to the high-speed, high thrill kind of story -- "I'm at the cornier of Federal and State Street where Boston Police and FBI agents have just arrested one of the region's most wanted felons."

"This is a very exciting job," says Ed, who has been at WBZ-radio for six years, following earlier jobs with local newspapers and smaller-scale radio stations. "When you're at a place like 'BZ, you have a chance to be at the center of the action."

Ed's schedule is as hectic as his assignments are. "Three days a week -- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday -- I am the 'morning drive writer,' which means I write most of the material for the senior news reader, Gary Lapierre. I've been doing that for about five years. On the weekends -- which I most look forward to -- I'm a street reporter. I have the chance to cover stories for the weekend newscasts, and that's a part of the job I really enjoy."

In addition to the above, Ed also does what are called "voice-overs" for commercials that are broadcast by the station.

Now with eleven years' experience in the field, and a position with one of the nation's top commercial radio stations, he has as his next goal the chance to work in television. "I'd like to learn more about the television end of the business. because the more skills you have the more valuable you are."

Ed was asked if he thinks his Bridgewater education offered him the kind of preparation he needed, and he agreed it did. "What I learned is that the communication field involves more than 'book smarts.' You've got to have a personal touch in this kind of work. At Bridgewater I got a very good mix of learning the facts but also learning how to use my head as well, to try to see things beyond that's on paper."

His advice to those aspiring to a position such as his is direct and to the point: "Learn as much as you can and be as flexible as you can. In my business, jobs are hard to come by. It's the 'survival of the fittest.' The more you know, the more chance you have of getting a job and keeping it.

"I've done just about every job at this radio station, from driving the mobile news van to setting up remote broadcasts," he continues. "I've booked guests for talk shows, anchored sportscasts, and I've done traffic reports. Whatever needs to be done, I'm willing to do it."

And he paid his dues along the way, working at a series of suburban radio stations located in places such as Taunton, Plymouth, Quincy, and Framingham. He was also a freelance photographer for awhile. "It's all part of the learning the business," he says.Ed feels a close connection to Bridgewater State College and encourages students who have questions to contact him. "I'd be glad to answer any questions and offer suggestions," he told us.

Those interested may contact Ed at edonahue@wbznews.cbs.com.

Leah Arruda, '94 / '98

Megan Blake '98 & Larry Marchese '93

Lori Botelho, '98

Jane Bulman, '93

Ed Donahue, '85