A headshot of Lacey KendallSBVC alumna Lacey Kendall ended her award-winning radio program on a high note. The “My Awesome Empire” radio program at Cal State San Bernardino was a finalist for an International Golden Mic Award by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System in the category of Best Public Affairs Program.

Kendall started her radio career while a student at San Bernardino Valley College. However, she explained in a recent interview to KVCR that she initially rejected her counselor’s suggestion of exploring the radio and television industry. “I’m not going to like that,” she had originally thought.

“And here I am 30 years later. It was anything but lame; it was super awesome. I just love radio.” After establishing her passion for radio, she volunteered at KVCR, a service of the San Bernardino Community College District, until she was hired on as staff. She was originally a board operator, but then moved on to “Bluegrass Alive” with host Uncle Bill Eason, which was her first paid job as “Cousin Lacey Kendall.”She went on the earn her master’s degree from CSUSB, where she served as the broadcast and media consultant for Coyote Radio, the media department at CSUSB, and founder of “My Awesome Empire.”

This 30-minute, multi award-winning program shares the stories of heroic and innovative people, businesses, and children in the inland region of Southern California, launched in 2012 and aired over eight Southern California radio stations. Now in its sixth season, the program will come to an end when Kendall leaves the main campus to be an instructor for digital production and broadcast operations at the CSUSB Palm Desert campus. Nonetheless, the nomination of “My Awesome Empire” for a Golden Mic Award will serve as a final accomplishment for this beloved Inland Empire radio program