John Russell Wagner - Endowment for Radio-Television-Film Students

Bay Area magician, author, and broadcaster John (Jack) Wagner (1916-1988), left a generous legacy to his alma mater, San José State College (now University) where in the 1930s he majored in radio engineering, speech, English, and dramatics.

Jack Wagner began his broadcasting career at KQW in San José, the nation's first radio station. He moved in 1937 to KHUB in Watsonville, and later worked in radio and electronics during WWII. In 1947 he managed Yreka radio station KSYC, was Program Director of KNBC (now KNBR) from 1953-1967, and concluded his career as the Director of Broadcast Operations at KCBS from 1968-1981. He taught radio courses at Stanford.

He established the Wagner Memorial Scholarship Fund to be used by students majoring in Radio, Television, and Film who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and contributions to the department’s activities.