A 1975 graduate of Centenary, Drue has been a familiar voice in Philadelphia radio for half a century, interviewing major artists including Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, and Bono.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, April 6, 2026—Philadelphia radio veteran Cyndy Drue will deliver the address at the 151st commencement of Centenary University on Saturday, May 16, President John R. Schol, D.Min., announced today. A graduate of Centenary, Cyndy Drue Smith chose to use her first and middle names on the radio. Drue has been a familiar voice in Philadelphia radio for half a century, interviewing major artists including Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, and Bono. Her extraordinary career has also included work in television, film, and voice-over performance. The University will present Drue with a Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, to recognize her many contributions to the media industry and her alma mater.

“Cyndy Drue’s career embodies the creativity, curiosity, and courage that define a Centenary education,” President John R. Schol said. “As a trailblazer in broadcasting and a proud alumna who turned an early passion at WNTI into a lifetime of achievement, she is an inspiring example for Centenary’s Class of 2026 of how talent, perseverance, and lifelong learning can shape a successful career.”

Drue’s passion for broadcasting began as a student at Centenary, where she hosted a program on the campus radio station, WNTI, which operates today as a streaming station. That early experience sparked a lifelong love for radio and set the stage for a distinguished career in media. Drue became one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable voices, gaining wide recognition as the creator and host of WMMR-FM’s Street Beat, a weekly program that showcased emerging regional bands. The program helped launch the careers of numerous musicians and became a beloved platform for the city’s vibrant music scene.

Throughout her career, Drue has interviewed many of the world’s most influential artists and members of bands such as Van Halen, Fleetwood Mac, and Journey. She also created and hosted several television programs in Philadelphia, including The Rock Review and The Rock ’n Roll Show on KYW-TV.

In addition to her work in broadcasting, Drue has enjoyed a long career as an actor 

and voice-over artist. As a member of SAG/AFTRA, she has appeared in more than 20 films, including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Rocky Balboa, National Treasure, Signs, and The Lovely Bones, as well as television programs such as Law & Order: SVU and Do No Harm. Her voice-over work spans nearly four decades and includes audiobooks, commercial work, and narration. In 2012, she contributed a voiced poem to a children’s album that received a Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album.

Today, Drue continues to share her passion for music and storytelling as a radio personality on Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK in Philadelphia, where she hosts a weekly program every Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. She is also the producer of the ClassicRockArchive YouTube channel, interviewing legendary musicians and preserving historic rock interviews and performances. In addition to her media career, she is the co-author of Fred Wagner: An American Painter (1860–1940), a book about her family’s artistic legacy.

Drue earned an associate degree from Centenary in 1975, when it was called Centenary College for Women, a two-year school. A lifelong learner and creative professional, Drue also studied Digital Media at Moore College of Art and Design. 

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning. Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township, Centenary provides students with hands-on, personalized educational experiences that prepare them for success in a global and evolving workforce.  Guided by its commitment to student success, university vitality, and changing the world, Centenary empowers students to lead lives of purpose, impact, and lifelong achievement.