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Cathy Hiebert and her sister Terry Hiebert Puhr unveil a large bronze plaque naming the video news studio at Mirror Lake Middle School in honor of their father, Augie Hiebert. The dedication service was held Nov. 11.
Star Photo By DARRELL L. BREESE
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Augie Hiebert helped bring radio and television to Alaska. But during a recent ceremony, it was his contribution to Mirror Lake Middle School students that was honored.
The middle school's video news teams' production room was dedicated to Hiebert Nov. 11.
Two of Hiebert's daughters, Cathy Hiebert and Terry Hiebert Puhr, unveiled a large bronze plaque that renamed the room to the “The Augie Hiebert Production Studio.”
Hiebert, who died Sept. 13, 2007, spent more than 10 years working with the students at Mirror Lake, after retiring from a long career in radio and television.
Hiebert's story begins in 1939, when he followed a friend, Austin Lathrop, from Bend, Ore., to Fairbanks, Alaska, where they built the city's first radio station, KFAR. In 1948 Hiebert came to Anchorage and helped establish KENI radio station. He also established Alaska's first FM radio station, KNIK, in Anchorage in 1960.
In 1953 Hiebert built Alaska's first television station, KTVA, in Anchorage, and two year later he founded KTVF, in Fairbanks, the state's second television station.
One of the highlights of Hiebert's career came on July 20,1969, when he worked with NASA to help bring live coverage of Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon to the entire United States.
Hiebert sold his television and radio broadcasting companies in 1997 and began retirement.
It wasn't long after that when he found himself drawn in by a new group of broadcasting pioneers: the students at Mirror Lake Middle School.
“Once Augie saw the desire of the kids to learn, he was hooked,” said Emily Blahous, who teaches the Video News course.
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The plaque memorializes Augie Hiebert for his work in broadcasting and, in later years, his work at Mirror Lake Middle School.
Star Photo By DARRELL L. BREESE
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Hiebert made regular Friday visits to the classroom at Mirror Lake, helping the students polish their broadcasting skills and improve the video news programs, which were broadcast to every classroom.
He also worked with the Federal Communications Commission to get Mirror Lake's FM radio station federally licensed in 2007. School officials selected call letters KAUG to honor Hiebert for his contribution to the school.
Mirror Lake became the first middle school radio station in the United States to be licensed by the FCC.
“Dad just loved coming out here every week,” said Augie's daughter, Cathy Hiebert, during the dedication ceremony. “And if he had someone special with him to visit the class, he always made a point to stop at the large Mirror Lake Middle School sign at the entrance of the parking lot to remind his guest where they were going. He loved working with the students at the school.”
Hiebert made a habit of never coming to the school alone, Blahous said.
“He always had someone in tow,” she said. “Whether it was a news or radio personality, or someone who worked in the production field. He always brought someone with him to share something with the students.”
During the presentation both current and former students spoke about Hiebert.
University of Alaska Anchorage broadcast journalism major Christina Roper, who participated in the video news program while attending Mirror Lake, said working with Hiebert helped her choose a career path early.
“He was a friend and a mentor,” Roper said. “As our relationship grew, as I went into high school and eventually college, he was always there to share helpful advice over a lunch he would fix. The food was OK, but being able to talk with Augie was priceless.”
Current students Michelle Boone and Casey Mills said they learned to respect Hiebert not only as a pioneer broadcaster, but also as a teacher and a friend.
“Working with Augie made me want to work harder and do a better job,” Mills said. “I am honored to have known him and every student who comes through the video news program will be honored to work in this production room named in his honor.”
Cathy Hiebert was surprised at the number of former students who came back to the school for the dedication service.
“To hear and see so many students speak to how dad has impacted their lives is incredible,” she said. “My father was a pioneer in broadcasting in Alaska, but his real legacy is these students who have captured his passion for the industry, and the future students who will work in this room the school graciously named in his honor.”
