Tuning In With Gene Manning ’71

Veteran Broadcast Executive and Voice Talent Establishes Endowed Scholarship for Economics or Philosophy Majors

Gene Manning ’71 has heard it all. Literally.

Since getting his start on the air during his first year at The University of Scranton, Manning has worked as:

• An FM radio account executive
• An account executive/mid-day air personality for CBS Radio in Philadelphia
• A part-time television weather/sports anchor for CBS Television in Philadelphia
• A production director, a general sales manager for FM and AM radio
• A voice-over talent
• The president/CEO of Manning Broadcasting Inc. (which currently owns and operates three radio stations in the greater Hagerstown-Frederick area of Maryland).

“I was always fascinated by radio,” Manning said.

While growing up in Lehighton, Manning enjoyed listening to the radio; something changed, however, when he visited New York City with his mother and took a tour of the famed WNBC studios, where he observed an air personality named Jim Lowe broadcasting from a studio.

“I became a more astute listener,” Manning said. “I knew the voice on the radio was sitting in a studio as he was, and I was drawn to it.”

Manning attended high school at Devon Preparatory School, a place he credits with instilling his love of language.

“(Devon) understood that language was essential, and the better you speak the language, the better you understand it, the better you’ll do in life,” he said.

Upon arriving at the University prior to his first day of classes, Manning was trying to get his bearings by reading a campus map when a friendly priest asked him if he could help with anything.

“He was very kind, very cordial, very welcoming and he pointed out a few things to me on the map,” Manning said. “When I started college a few days later, (I learned) he was the president of the University! Father Aloysius Galvin, S.J.

“That was a very nice welcome to The University of Scranton.”

At Scranton, Manning moved into Casey Hall and struck up friendships with Rev. William J. Devlin, S.J., and Rev. Edward J. Gannon, S.J., who both resided there at the time.

“I loved Father Gannon,” Manning said. “He was a very positive force in my life. He really encouraged me, and he recognized things that I didn’t think were important, but he did. It made an impact.”

Manning knew he wanted to get involved with the University’s radio station, so he obtained an FCC license and began DJing at the station. He soon began broadcasting commercially at an AM station in nearby Wilkes-Barre, and, after graduation, began working at an FM station in Toledo, Ohio.

In 1982, he purchased his first radio station, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since retiring, Manning has bred champion English Springer Spaniels that have competed in field trials throughout the nation. Today, Manning continues to utilize his audio skills as a voice-over talent for hire.

A Man for and with Others

In the 1990s, Manning began supporting the work of Easterseals, America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, and he served on its national Board of Directors for six years.

“It was a really wonderful experience,” he said.

At the University, Manning recently established The Eugene J. Manning ’71 Endowed Scholarship with proceeds from the Eugene Manning Charitable Gift Annuity; the scholarship, once fully endowed, will benefit Royals majoring in philosophy or economics, ensuring that future students will benefit from the same Jesuit education he received more than half a century ago.