CHARLES EDWARD ANDERSON

Anderson (1919-1994) was born on a farm in University City, near St. Louis, Missouri, and was certified in Meteorology (Masters Degree) from the University of Chicago in 1943. In 1960, Anderson earned a Ph.D. in Meteorology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, being the first African American to earn that degree. He served as a captain in the Army Air Forces in World War II and was the weather officer for the Tuskegee Airmen regiment, Tuskegee, Alabama. After the war and until 1961 he worked at the Chief Cloud Physics Branch at the Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Massachusetts. From 1966-1987 Anderson served as Professor of Meteorology and Chairman of Contemporary Trends Course at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, becoming Associate Dean in 1978. From 1978 until his retirement, he was a professor in the Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C. Anderson’s research focused on cloud and aerosol physics and meteorology of other planets, and received national recognition for his forecasting of severe storms.

JUNE BACON-BERCEY

Bacon-Bercey (1934- ) became the Chief Administrator of television activities for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) in 1979. An international expert on weather and aviation, Bacon-Bercey decided to contribute most of her winnings from the $128,000 Question Game Show in 1977 to a scholarship fund for women who want to become meteorologists. She said, “I was discouraged [from becoming one], and other women were discouraged. If they feel they've got some money behind them, it might be better."

BRYAN BUSBY

Busby wanted to do TV weather since childhood in Cleveland, Ohio. He realized his dream at age 17. In 1978 he began working in St. Louis, and although only an intern, he was on the air after only eight weeks at the station as the weekend weathercaster. He remained in St. Louis for eight years. Now Kansas City's leading meteorologist, he is also that city's favorite television personality. He has won Emmy awards, a Black Achievers Award, and Role Model of the Year (2001). He was appointed to the National Chapter of the American Meteorological Society's Board of Broadcast Meteorologists, and named Chairman for that committee for 1997-1998. A natural showman with wit and personality, Busby's also performs as the principal timpanist for the Civic Orchestra of Kansas City. In addition to performing and teaching, he was the Principal Guest Conductor of the Kansas City Youth Symphony, having conducted that group at the 1992 World's Fair in Seville, Spain, and more recently in Carnegie Hall in New York City. To further his hobby of imitating cartoon voices, Busby plans to pursue a job doing voice-overs when he retires from broadcasting.