Basking Ridge Local, Radio Host Named Valedictorian At Centenary University

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — Basking Ridge resident and radio host Tanner Sullivan graduated on May 16 as valedictorian of the Class of 2026 at Centenary University.

Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication: Radio/Television/Film, a minor in professional writing, and a perfect 4.0 grade point average, according to the university.

Sullivan, a Basking Ridge resident, has spent the past three years hosting The Ticket Booth on WNTI, Centenary University’s streaming station. The weekly program explores parts of the film industry.

Last year, he also added Fresh Popcorn, a weekly feature on upcoming films, and man-on-the-street interviews through an internship at WRNJ, another Hackettstown-area radio station.

The university said Sullivan originally planned to study film when he enrolled at Centenary.

During his second semester, he met WNTI Director John Del Re in an audio production class and was assigned a weekly radio show.

"I was tasked with doing a weekly radio show," Sullivan stated. "It was immediate anxiety overload. I never anticipated having to broadcast live to listeners across the New Jersey base."

That early assignment helped shape the direction of his college career.

According to the university, The Ticket Booth developed from a film review show into a talk program covering new releases, film trivia and music.

Shortly after completing his second semester, Sullivan was appointed WNTI’s student programming director.

"As time went on, I grew more of a connection to the microphone — it started coming naturally to me," Sullivan said. "My role at WNTI and my internship at WRNJ are a great way to blend my two passions, film and radio."

Sullivan also served as executive managing editor of the Cyclone Chronicle, Centenary’s student newspaper. He said that role helped him sharpen his writing and editing skills while also building connections on campus.

"I view the newspaper as a massive community experience. Some of my closest friendships at Centenary occurred through the Cyclone Chronicle. I’m getting amazing writing experience, but also a lot of community support and encouragement. Centenary just has such an overall welcoming environment," said Sullivan.

As he looks beyond graduation, Sullivan is applying to both radio stations and New Jersey film studios, according to the university.

"Years ago, someone told me, 'If you pick the right job, you never have to work a day in your life.' I plan to stay true to that mantra," said Sullivan. "When I first started college, I didn’t know where to start on my career. At Centenary, people introduced me to opportunities that have given me incredible experience. It’s been an absolute pleasure to attend Centenary for these four years."