Specs Howard (Julian Liebman), who embarked on a radio career in the mid-1950s in Cleveland before moving to WXYZ Detroit in 1967, ultimately leading to the formation of Specs Howard School of Media Arts in 1970, has passed away. He was 96.
“I am heartbroken to let you know that in the early hours this morning, Saturday, September 3, 2022, my father Specs Howard completed his journey here on earth,” daughter Alisa Zee wrote in a statement. “He was always grateful to the entire media community. He felt your embrace every step of his professional journey, knowing that his mission to help change lives for the better was supported and guided by all. To everyone who ever listened to him on the air, graduated from the Specs Howard School, hired the people he trained, or even just said nice things to or about Dad, the entire Specs Howard family says, ‘Thank You.’”
Over the years, the Specs Howard School of Media Arts evolved and added graphic design and digital media arts to its program. The media trade school celebrated its 50th anniversary on Jan. 14, 2020. It closed its Southfield school in 2021 and merged with Lawrence Tech. Since 1970 more than 15,000 alumni from Specs Howard have gone into the media field, WDIV-TV reports.