From the morning announcements to radio talk shows, Whitman alum Daniel Henning (‘02) didn’t take long to tune into his calling.
Henning is a producer for the SiriusXM channel POTUS (Politics of The United States), and a DJ for MIX 107.3, a local radio station.
“I got my start at Pyle doing morning announcements on TV,” Henning said. “I did the weather and became known as ‘Dan the Weatherman.’”
When Henning arrived at Whitman, he immediately started delivering the morning announcements. Henning was also part of Whitman Shorts and participated in Choir.
While producing the morning announcements at Whitman, Henning was approached by teachers who suggested he consider radio broadcasting as a career.
“When I was doing morning announcements on the PA system at Whitman, and a few teachers said, ‘you should think about going into radio; you have a voice for it,’” Henning said.
During his junior year at Whitman, Henning began working at a local radio station based out of Easton, Maryland. After graduating, Henning attended Ithaca University and obtained a degree in television-radio broadcasting.
Henning then began working as a producer for SiriusXM. He is now the producer for the popular channel POTUS, a talk show hosted by political analysts providing non-partisan news on current politics.
“I do all the behind-the-scenes work,” Henning said. “I do all the show production, help book guests and handle the studio operations that get the show on the air.”
In addition to producing the show, Henning also works closely with two of the show’s hosts.
“I work with Michael Smerconish, who is on air every day, broadcasting to nationwide about politics and the the day’s news,” Henning said. “I help do any research for topics he may need, and I handle his social media accounts for him.”
Henning also works closely with Jon Huntsman, a former governor of Utah who also served as ambassador to Singapore and China before running for president in 2012.
In addition to his job at SiriusXM, Henning works as a DJ on the radio station MIX 107.3 as a part-time job.
“I DJ on MIX 107.3, on weekends from 3:00—7:00 PM,” Henning said. “My on-air name is ‘Dan Duran.’”
According to Henning, the station was one of his early influences to get involved in radio.
“I grew up listening to 107.3,” Henning said. “I listened to The Jack Diamond Morning Show on my way to Whitman every morning in the car. It’s a thrill to be able to say I work at the same radio station.”
