Page 14 - Phil 21-22 PROGRAM BOOK Sound and the Fury DIGITAL_Neat

Guest Artists

Meteorologist Mike Wankum has been forecasting
weather in Boston for nearly three decades, joining
WCVB-Channel 5 in December of 2006. Prior to that, he
served thirteen years as chief meteorologist at WLVI-
TV. He has also reported weather for KISS 108, The
Boston Herald, WBUR-FM and WZLX-FM.

Mr. Wankum is an award-winning forecaster with
thirteen regional Emmy Awards, as well as numerous
AP and Mass Broadcasters awards for his weather
coverage. His weekly “Cutting Edge” technology
series was awarded the 2018 First Place for a
recurring segment by the Massachusetts Broadcasting Association. In 2017 the
Washington Post listed him as one of the 7 “Coolest” Meteorologist in the United
States.
Prior to arriving in Boston, he was chief meteorologist at WTVR-TV, Richmond VA.
He also served as chief meteorologist at KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA.
A frequent guest science lecturer at area schools and universities, Mr. Wankum
has spoken on a variety of topics including climate change, media, severe
weather, nuclear disasters and children’s issues. He served as past Chairman of
the Chernobyl Children Project USA and is also actively involved in various local
charitable organizations.

A graduate of Briar Cliff University, Mike Wankum worked on his Masters in
Atmospheric Science at Creighton University in the heart of Tornado Alley. He
was involved in many tornado chases in his early career and all three of his
children have witnessed tornadoes.
Mr. Wankum is a motorcycle enthusiast and a licensed amateur road racer. You
can often find him at the New Hampshire Motors Speedway where he has had
many podium finishes. He also uses his racing expertise to instruct local law
enforcement motorcycle officers how to ride safely at high speeds as a member
of the Fishtail Riding School.

He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and has earned
his Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation. He grew up on a farm in
northwest Iowa and traces his family roots to Boston where his Irish immigrant
ancestors first landed in Boston during the Famine.
Mike Wankum and his family currently reside on the South Shore.

PAGE 12 Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra