Indiana Broadcast History Archive

OVERVIEW 

Though he almost always worked behind the scenes, Kurt Swadener, a multiple Emmy and Telly award winner, was a highly influential force within Indiana broadcasting. He may not have been the face of the news, but his voice was always heard. With the awards, experiences, and stories to show for it, Swadener dedicated over 40 years of his life to informing and entertaining Indiana locals. 

A true Hoosier, Kurt Swadener was born August 16, 1953, in Mishawaka, Indiana. It was here that Swadener’s passion for broadcasting bloomed very early in his childhood. At the age of five, he would create his own makeshift “radio” out of scraps laying around. Doing this, the young Swadener called himself a broadcaster for the first time.  

EDUCATION

Swadener attended Mishawaka High School but didn’t participate in anything related to broadcasting or journalism; the idea of it as a career was new to him. Swadener graduated in 1971 and pursued a higher education soon after.  

Having grown up in Mishawaka, Swadener stayed close to home for his undergraduate years and spent his time at IU South Bend (IUSB). Since there was no broadcasting track at the time, he sought a degree in Speech and Theatre. At the IU South Bend campus, Swadener eventually considered broadcasting as a legitimate goal for his future career. He was part of a work study program where he took a job within the division of education. He would film student teachers for their overseeing professors to evaluate their teachings. That opportunity was just the first time he would be behind the camera. This jumpstarted his long, successful career as a local broadcaster.  

He graduated from IUSB in 1976 after adding an additional year to his studies. 

Swadener later used funding from his position within WRTV 6 to achieve his Master’s degree in Marketing and Advertising from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).  

BROADCASTING CAREER

Swadener's first professional experience in broadcasting was at WMSH-TV (now WHME), Channel 46, in South Bend, where he worked as production assistant and director from October 1974 to September 1975. He also did camera work with video and film experience as well as audio and worked as a booth announcer, in addition to other roles.

After completing his undergraduate education, he got a job as a director/announcer at WKZO-TV (now WWMT), Channel 3, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He stayed in that role for the next three years.

Before going back to school for his master's, Swadener moved to Indianapolis to be the producer/director for WRTV, Channel 6. He stayed in that position for almost 12 years, until 1991. In 1984, Swadener began pursuing his master's at the Kelley School of Business.

In 1991, Swadener became the production manager at Producers International in Indianapolis, where he remained for a little over three years. He also served as creative director and worked with commercials, corporate videos and documentaries. In 1994, he returned to WRTV, resuming his role as producer/director for two years.

In 1995, he was promoted to executive producer production, a role he stayed in until 2002. Then, he became the news operations manager at WRTV until March 2012. Many of Swadener's projects at WRTV were centered around the Indianapolis 500 but he also produced documentaries, telethons, commercials and more.

In September 2012, Swadener got a job as operations manager at WTWO and WAWV, two television station in Terre Haute, Indiana, both operated by Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Swadener worked in this position until 2018.

With so many years and most of his career spent at WRTV, Swadener is filled with stories of the people he met and the things he saw. It gave him the opportunity to work closely with local icons like Tom Carnegie, Howard Caldwell, and Bob McLain. But the high point, according to him, occurs every May on a particular stretch of asphalt. His role at WRTV allowed him to cover the Indy 500, something he is particularly passionate about. He still makes it out to the track every year. 

Another one of the most rewarding experiences Swadener had during his time at WRTV came after 9/11. He understood the impact of that moment and led the production of an hour-long live special that showcased church services after the tragedy. 

He also notes the live coverage of the annual Circle of Lights holiday tradition in Downtown Indianapolis as one of his fondest memories from WRTV. His programs would not only garner thousands of viewers on television but would bring over 100,000 people to the actual lighting ceremony.  

Swadener’s role at WRTV allowed him to meet incredible people, create exciting news stories, and love the work he was doing. However, all good things must come to an end. His position was eliminated, and he stepped away from the station for the second and final time in 2012. 

Swadener finished his professional career as an Operations Manager for stations WTWO TV 2 and WAWV TV 38 in Terre Haute. Here, he dedicated the rest of his time as a broadcaster to mentoring those that would succeed him. He spent six years in this role before finally retiring in 2018. 

ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

If over 40 years of work dedicated to broadcasting was not impressive enough, Kurt Swadener is a multi-award winner. He is a National Association of Television Program Executives Iris Award nominee, an Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Award winner, and has received both Telly and Emmy awards for his work in directing, writing, and producing.  

He is currently retired and happily residing within the Indianapolis area alongside his family.  

With great highs and lows, Swadener would do it all over again. He believes the role of local television is the same as it’s always been and always will be: a community leader.  

Swadener, in addition to his Emmy and Telly awards for producing, directing and writing, has received the Indiana Broadcasters Association Spectrum Award and was a National Association of Television Program Executives Iris Award nominee.

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January 2024

Written by Luzane Draughon, Anne Hassfurder. Edited and Archived by Cooper Hudson.

-Information from Kurt Swadener, Kurt Swadener's LinkedIn and IU Media School Archive