As producer of the "Jeff & Melissa Morning Show" on Atlanta’s WSB-FM 98.5/B98.5, Jeremy Powell (‘99) has met his share of notable notables in pop culture. The proud Tiger uses his platform and influence on the FM band to transmit a message of admiration and support for his beloved alma mater, mentioning Darlington whenever he can.
An on-air conversation back in April helped guide a prospective family that was searching for a high school for their rising ninth-grader.
“It really helps localize us on the air when we talk about where we are from,” said Powell. “When I can say that I went to school locally, it is a great chance to promote Darlington.”
Elizabeth and Andrew Bou of Marietta, Ga. were looking for a learning community with students as the true, central focus and a challenging but supportive college-preparatory environment. Mrs. Bou had been researching and considering Darlington for daughter Madelyn, and then confirmation about the decision she felt led to make came from a seemingly unlikely source.
"It was so perfect in timing to hear about [Jeremy's] experience," said Mrs. Bou. "We were leaning towards making that decision and Jeremy's plug was the cherry on top of the sundae."
Upon further research, talking with other Darlington parents, and a making a site visit that sealed the deal, the family decided to enroll Madelyn as a residential student.
Since Madelyn Bou began attending Darlington earlier this year, two friends from her previous school have already reached out to the Admission Office to express an interest in coming to campus.
Powell takes pride in being able to reach out to and connect with fellow members of the metropolitan Atlanta community, bridging the gap that other media sometimes create because of their respective format and organization.
“We have syndicated radio shows in [the Atlanta] market and they can’t localize because they're in multiple cities,” said Powell. “We live here, we work here, we play here. It really reiterates that we are local.”
A relocation from middle Tennessee brought Powell’s family to Rome shortly before his freshman year. He soon enrolled at Darlington where he played football and baseball. His exposure to different cultures would prime him for work in radio and the different personalities he would meet in the broadcast industry.
“At Darlington, you are taught to judge people based on their essence, not what they look like or where they are from,” said Powell. “You really develop the ability to talk to other people that, maybe on the surface, don't appear to have much in common with you.”
In addition to acquainting Powell with more diversity and fostering the opportunity to make these new friends, the alum also credits Darlington with linking him to his first contacts in the radio world.
“I started working in radio when I was 16,” he said. “Kris Cantrell of the Southern Broadcasting Co. came to career day at Darlington, and talked about how awesome radio was and how fun it was.”
The next day Powell showed up in person at the company’s Rome-based offices looking to seize an opportunity, and started working the boards the very next week.
“Darlington is a big part of our lives. It gives you tons of opportunities and an amazing education," said Powell. "You just don’t want to keep someone from that. You want to share that experience and let them know that they should look into it.”
Powell and wife Megan live in Roswell, Ga. with Gizmo, their Shih Tzu, and Slider, a turtle.
Prior to working at B98.5, Powell also spent time at legendary Atlanta favorites WNNX-FM 99.7/99X and WZGC-FM 92.9/Dave FM, and at stations in Minnesota and Chattanooga, Tenn.
