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From small town Eau Claire to big-time California television, Kevin Wehrenberg, ‘93, has made it big in producing since his graduation from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

With his work on shows like Unsolved Mysteries, It’s a Miracle, Fear Factor and Wipeout, Wehrenberg has been selected by UW Oshkosh’s Alumni Association to be a 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award winner as part of Homecoming 2015 festivities.

During his time at UW Oshkosh, Wehrenberg learned hands-on projects, such as disc jockeying for WRST when he was a freshmen. He continued his involvement at the campus radio station until the day he graduated.

“This experience impacted my life because it allowed me to know as a freshmen that television was exactly what I wanted to do with my future,” Wehrenberg said. “My time at UWO helped me become a better producer because I was able to spend my entire four-and-a-half years at Oshkosh studying the medium I loved.”

Wehrenberg’s career started as an intern for the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he was at NBC Productions in summer 1993.

For a year after his internship, he did various production assistant jobs for shows until he was promoted to research engineer on the late-night talk show, Later with Greg Kinnear.

After years of his dedication and hard work for the late-night talk show and Unsolved Mysteries, Wehrenberg was selected to work as a field producer for It’s a Miracle on the PAX Network, and later was promoted to production manager.

Working quickly up the ranks of TV, Wehrenberg worked for Fear Factor as a production manager and eventually producer when it ended in 2006. Another door opened for him to become a co-executive producer for the popular show, Wipeout. For six years, Wehrenberg was a co-executive producer, but ended with the show in spring 2014 as an executive producer.

Wehrenberg currently works as the co-executive producer for the new show, Bullseye, for the FOX Network. Bullseye is a competitive challenge series hosted by actor Kellan Lutz of the Twilight saga and The Legend of Hercules. Men and women attempt to literally hit the bullseye in wacky ways, such as by leaping from a moving 18-wheeler or even acting as a human slingshot. The competitors can leave empty handed or with $50,000.

Although he leads a busy life, Wehrenberg enjoys being a husband, dad and coach during his free time. He volunteers at his son’s school and coaches his son’s sports teams. Having Wisconsin at heart, he commits to at least three or four Packers games while he’s at his home in Door County.

“I love to take our boat out on Lake Michigan in the summer, or go snowmobiling on the trails throughout Door County,” Wehrenberg said. “I love Wisconsin and miss it every day.”

Wehrenberg also serves as president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), as his son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2008. He’s worked to raise money and has been involved in the LA area to find a cure.

“We have raised over $600,000 for Type 1 research over the last six years,” Wehrenberg said. “This makes me proud because I know I have done everything in my power to find a cure for my son, Charlie.”

Along with JDRF, Wehrenberg is a board member for The County School, a private elementary and middle school.

A friend and fellow UWO alumnus, Brad Carr ’01, of Valley Village, Calif., said Wehrenberg is a producer who makes things happen. He added that Wehrenberg worked hard on “Wipeout” to ensure the show always came in under budget.

He contributes to his alma mater by offering internships to current UWO students. Wehrenberg has offered internships to at least 21 students from Wisconsin, and has helped them succeed in the Hollywood area.

“That is what makes me most proud of being an alumnus of UWO,” Wehrenberg said. “Giving back.”

Wehrenberg restored the 2015 UWO LA Connection Tour, where 14 students spent two weeks in Los Angeles to learn about the television industry from alumni and other professionals.

Faculty and staff have commended Wehrenberg’s work, including Justine Stokes, television services director at UWO. Wehrenberg spoke to students on campus in 2011 as part of the Homecoming Pro Perspectives Panel, and again in 2013 to talk about his career in television. The last time he visited campus was for the 50th RTF Anniversary Homecoming committee.

“He was an instrumental force in the development of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter,” Stokes said. “Bringing together not just radio-TV-film alumni but all Oshkosh alumni in the area.”

Wehrenberg has received top honors from the Los Angeles Business Journal and has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year from the Nonprofit & Corporate Citizenship Awards. He also has mentored many people, including Carr.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without mentoring from Kevin,” Carr said.

Wehrenberg has many UWO heroes from the radio-TV-film department, including Dwight Poppy, former RTF associate director; Bill Kerkhof, RTF engineering director; Doug Heil, RTF professor; Doc Snyder, founder of the RTF program, who made Wehrenberg’s time at UWO irreplaceable; and others.

“I cherish the time I had with the UWO faculty forever and would give anything to do it all over again,” Wehrenberg said.

For more information about the alumni awards celebration on Oct. 16 during Homecoming 2015, please contact the UW Oshkosh Alumni Relations Office at (920) 424-3449 or send an email to alumni@uwosh.edu.

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