HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — Centenary University valedictorian Tanner Sullivan is graduating with more than a perfect academic record — he is also already building a career in radio and film.
Sullivan, a Basking Ridge resident, graduated May 16 as valedictorian of the Centenary University Class of 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication: radio/television/film and a minor in professional writing. He earned a 4.0 grade point average.
During his time at Centenary, Sullivan became a familiar voice on both WNTI, the university’s streaming radio station, and WRNJ Radio.
For the past three years, Sullivan has hosted “The Ticket Booth” on WNTI, a weekly show focused on the film industry. Through an internship at WRNJ, he also created “Fresh Popcorn,” a weekly feature covering upcoming films and interviews with local residents.
Originally intending to focus on film studies, Sullivan said his introduction to live radio came unexpectedly during an audio production class taught by WNTI Director John Del Re.
“I was tasked with doing a weekly radio show,” Sullivan recalled. “It was immediate anxiety overload. I never anticipated having to broadcast live to listeners across the New Jersey base.”
Despite the initial nerves, Sullivan said he quickly embraced broadcasting. Over time, “The Ticket Booth” evolved from simple film reviews into a broader talk show featuring entertainment news, film trivia and music.
“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.”
In addition to his radio work, Sullivan served as executive managing editor of the Cyclone Chronicle, the university’s student newspaper.
”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,” Sullivan said.
Following graduation, Sullivan plans to pursue opportunities in both radio and film production in New Jersey.
“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. 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.”
