Outstanding Alumni - 2009
Kevin Jackson
Bemidji State University Graduate 1985
Mr. Kevin Jackson earned a bachelors degree in Mass Communication from BSU in 1985. He began his career in radio before he finished college, serving as an announcer at a local radio station, KKBJ. After a short stint working for a station in Roseau, MN, Mr. Jackson returned to Bemidji and began his 22-year career at Paul Bunyan Broadcasting, originally selling advertising for KBUN and KB101. Quickly recognizing his talents were not in sales, he returned to work on air as Sports Director and became the voice of Bemidji High School athletics, a position he held for 12 years. Since 1989, Mr. Jackson has also served as creator and producer of a local fishing program known as "Fishin' Paul Bunyan Country." This program airs twice daily in the summer months and earned Mr. Jackson an award from the Minnesota Broadcasters Association in 2002 for Best Sports Show in a medium market. Mr. Jackson earned the same award in 2007 for producing "Olympic Spotlight," a twice daily program that aired during the 2006 winter Olympics, focusing on the men's and women's curling teams, both from Bemidji. Mr. Jackson currently serves as the program director for Paul Bunyan Broadcastings stations 104.5 WQXJ, The True Oldies Channel, as
well as 95.5 KZY and KBUN Sportsradio AM1450 and continues to hold the title of Sports Director for all five of PBB's Bemidji stations. In addition to participating in all of the stations' community service programs, Mr. Jackson has also been involved on a personal level in many local organizations, including the Bemidji Area United Way, the Bemidji High football boosters and the Bemidji High music boosters, and was a member of his church council for six years. Mr. Jackson has also continued his involvement with BSU, emceeing many campus events and serving on campus committees. Mr. Jackson and his wife, Nicole, have three children, Jacob, Kaila and Molly. They make their home in Bemidji, MN.