Soterios Johnson
Soterios Johnson is an American radio journalist and the former local host of National Public Radio's Morning Edition on New York City public-radio station WNYC.[1][2]
A New Jersey native, Soterios worked at a small FM station in his hometown while earning his undergraduate degree in American history from Columbia University in New York City, granted in 1990.[3] While there he was active at the institution's radio station WKCR-FM (89.9 FM).[2] Subsequently, he received a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. His first name comes from his Greek heritage.
The New York Sun newspaper has claimed: "A steady, soulful tenor of a voice — combined with a first name that is as mellifluous as it is unusual — has won public radio host Soterios Johnson a legion of devoted fans, some of whom have gone so far as to write songs in his honor and name pets after him."[1]
He has reminisced: "As a kid, I always wanted to be in the know... and to spread the word."
In the summer of 2016, Johnson left WNYC to join the University of California/Davis as Director of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Programs. He is moving to join his husband, who has been based in California since December 2014.
Influence on music
His name is the inspiration for the name of New York City three-piece band Satirius Johnson, which spells Soterios differently.[1]
Jonathan Coulton, a folk-rock artist also based in New York, wrote a song called "Dance, Soterios Johnson, Dance" that presents a fictionalized secret life of Johnson as a club-goer.[1]
Awards
- 2006 New York Press Club award
References
- ^ a b c d "Soterios Johnson: 'It's Like He's a Rock Star' - The New York Sun". www.nysun.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- ^ a b "People - Soterios Johnson". www.wnyc.org. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
- ^ "Columbia College Today". www.college.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-21.