Passport
Volunteer of the Year
The V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of community leader Tom Metcalfe, a friend of PBS Wisconsin. It honors a volunteer demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to the station. We are proud to recognize Jason Campbell as our 2020 V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year.
During 2020, Campbell volunteered more than 150 hours for all of PBS Wisconsin’s major events – where he took on roles both big – like front-of-show captain at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show and Garden and Landscape Expo – and small, like serving refreshments and tidying the studio after membership drives. Our volunteers and staff gave him their strong nomination.
Thank you, Jason!
“What’s most remarkable about PBS Wisconsin are the shows you stumble upon with topics you didn’t know you were interested in, and that draw you in and enthrall you and that you simply cannot turn off . . . my sleep schedule and housekeeping have been known to suffer as a result! If I’m not watching PBS Wisconsin, it means my TV is off.”
–Jason Campbell, 2020 V. Thomas Metcalfe Volunteer of the Year
Volunteer of the Year Jason Campbell
When Jason Campbell decided to volunteer for the 2014 PBS Wisconsin fall membership drive, he wasted no time showing his dedication to supporting our mission.
“I didn’t know anyone who had done it or what to expect, but went ahead and signed up for six shifts straight away,” Campbell said.
That experience was the gateway to hundreds of volunteer hours that have this year earned Campbell the honor of being named PBS Wisconsin’s 2020 Volunteer of the Year.
In the last year, Campbell logged more than 150 hours volunteering for every PBS Wisconsin event, where he took on roles both big – like front-of-show captain at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show and Garden and Landscape Expo – and small, like serving refreshments and tidying the studio after membership drives. “When Jason is volunteering for PBS Wisconsin, he exhibits dedication and passion for our mission and fellow volunteers,” said MikeMcKenzie, volunteer manager for events at PBS Wisconsin. “Jason leads by example and always does a great job making new volunteers feel welcome.”
When Jason isn’t working as an agricultural research scientist, collecting and restoring vintage cars, or volunteering for PBS Wisconsin, you can find him at home – watching PBS Wisconsin. Among his favorite programs are PBS NewsHour, 30-Minute Music Hour, NOVA and Masterpiece: Downton Abbey, though it’s the thrill of discovery that keeps his dial tuned to PBS Wisconsin.
“What’s most remarkable are the shows you stumble upon with topics you didn’t know you were interested in, and that draw you in and enthrall you and that you simply cannot turn off,” Campbell said. “It happens routinely, and my sleep schedule and housekeeping have been known to suffer as a result! If I’m not watching PBS Wisconsin, it means my TV is off.”
Campbell called his decision to volunteer for PBS Wisconsin “one of the best things” he’s ever done, and is humbled to join the ranks of PBS Wisconsin Volunteers of the Year.
Congratulations, Jason – thank you for your outstanding contributions to PBS Wisconsin!
Past Recipients of Volunteer of the Year
2019 Mae Laatsch
2018 Mary Rondou
2017 Tom McVary
2016 Julie Brockman
2015 Brian Ruppert
2014 Sandy Rupnow
2013 Fran Schultz
2012 Sandra Levin
2011 Mark Schoenleber
2010 Andy Koch
2009 Bill Schloemer
2008 Stan Druckenmiller
2007 Ann Scott
2006 Alan Hackbarth
2005 LouJean Steenberg
2004 Gary Kimmerly
2003 Ingrid Lind-Jahn and Pete Jahn
2002 Janice and Michael Stone
2001 Cheryl Thompson
2000 Todd Liebergen
1999 Nancy and John O’Neill
1998 Janet Weidemann
1997 Ann Clark
1996 Shel Ellestad
1995 Kristine Wiese
1994 Sally Ann Miller
1993 John Schulist
1992 Jeannie Druckenmiller
1991 Linda Barker
1990 Rudy Fritz
1989 Grace Homb
1988 Rodney Pflaum
1987 Ann Campbell
1986 M J Combs
1985 Linda Berman
1984 Karen Godshall
Follow Us