Onondaga Community College's Board of Trustees voted earlier this week to award an honorary degree to local broadcasting legend Rod Wood. He recently announced his retirement from WSYR TV, Newschannel 9.
During the Board meeting College President Dr. Casey Crabill recommended the honor for Wood as she shared his story with Trustees: "He has spent the last 60 years serving his community and his country with honor. After he earned his GED, Rod joined the United States Army in 1960 where he was a member of the 504th Military Police Battalion. He was stationed in New Jersey, Georgia, Washington, California, and France. Following his service to our country, Rod returned home to Central New York and started taking classes at OCC while also beginning his work in the broadcast industry. I have reviewed his transcript from 1964! He earned 24 credits while taking classes at Midtown Plaza as he climbed through the ranks of local radio stations. In 1976 he was hired by Channel 9 to anchor the news and never left. For 31 years he and Carrie Lazarus anchored the evening news together, forming one of the longest running anchor teams in the country. For his professional accomplishments Rod is a member of the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame and he is on the Syracuse Press Club's Wall of Fame at the Onondaga County Civic Center. Thanks to his service to our country his name also appears on the scrolls of military veterans at the Onondaga County War Memorial. Rod and his wife Nanette, who passed away earlier this year, raised five children. They have nine grandchildren. For his service to his country, his community, and the wonderful example he has set for all, I'm asking you to approve an honorary degree from Onondaga Community College for Rod Wood."
Following Dr. Crabill's statement, Trustees approved Wood's honorary degree. He will receive it in December.
