(KCCR) — As Today’s KCCR is recognizing 60 years on the air this year, today we tip our hats to a man who guided not only Today’s KCCR but many stations across South Dakota. Dean P. Sorenson is celebrating 80 years today and as such, Governor Kristi Noem has proclaimed today as Dean P. Sorenson Day in South Dakota. Sorenson’s broadcasting career began as a freshly minted adult at age 18 in 1957, where he moonlighted on hometown station KORN in Mitchell as an evening announcer, filling the gap left by one…Gary Owen of “Laugh-In” fame. A graduate of the now closed Brown Institute in Minnesota, Sorenson moved to Pierre to manage KGFX at 23. In 1971, he created Sorenson Broadcasting after buying KCCR. He owned 22 stations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Sorenson also spent time as a state Representative and served Pierre as a volunteer, leader, employer, mentor and advisor. He also has held positions on state and national boards. During his time fully involved in radio, Sorenson has received the Tom Brokaw and South Dakota Broadcaster of the Year awards along with the Broadcaster’s Foundation of America’s Pioneer Award. Sorenson was also inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2007. Today, Dean Sorenson is semi-retired, but remains active in the radio industry.
