WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg Alumni Association will honour noted Winnipeg broadcaster Larry Updike (BA’95) with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the University’s Autumn Convocation Ceremony on Sunday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. at The University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre.
Lifetime of Service
Alumni Association President Mike Cook (BA’80) lauded Updike saying, “The Alumni Council selected Larry not only because of his remarkable career in broadcasting, but also because of his lifetime of service to his community, especially to those who are among our city’s most vulnerable.”
A well-known radio personality, an ordained minister and a social advocate, Updike’s distinctive voice has been used to enlighten and entertain for much of his life. As a boy Updike performed throughout southern Ontario as a part of a family singing ensemble. After high school, Updike completed theological training and was ordained a minister at 21.
He entered the field that would define his career while continuing to preach. Radio soon became his full-time job. He rose to prominence in Winnipeg as one half of rock radio’s “Tom and Larry Show” in the 1980s.
Faith continued to play a significant role in his life and Updike returned to school in order to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, graduating in 1986. A second degree, this time a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy), came after. He continued to work in radio during this time.
CJOB came calling in 1995 and Updike took on a number of hosting responsibilities before finally moving to “The CJOB Morning Show,” which he hosted until the fall of 2009. In September 2009 Updike surprised many when he announced that he would leave broadcasting to become spokesperson for Siloam Mission where he became a voice for Winnipeg’s poor and homeless.
After almost a year at Siloam Mission, Updike returned to radio to host CBC’s afternoon program “Up to Speed.” Updike’s passion for public service has been the hallmark of his career. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal for his work with War Amps and was inducted into the Manitoba Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2009.
The 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients Nick Ternette and Larry Updike were nominated in the spring of 2010 and were selected by a vote of the Alumni Council, the representative body of the Alumni Association that is comprised of more than 42,000 graduates of The University, United College, Wesley College, and The Division of Continuing Education Division. Mr. Ternette was presented with his Distinguished Alumni Award at the University’s Spring Convocation in June.
