Bob Allison, host of WNZK's Ask Your Neighbor, will commemorate his show's 40'h anniversary with a generous gift to Wayne State University's College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts.

Allison, whose given name is Bob Allesee, has pledged $1.5 million to the College's Department of Communication to create the Bob Allesee (Allison) Endowed Chair in Media. This gift will allow the department to expand its full-time faculty by recruiting and hiring an expert in the field of media studies.

"This is the best way to give back to a business that has given so much to me," said Bob Allison.

"The university is honored to have such a distinguished friend as Bob Allison," said Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid. "Endowed chairs substantially enhance our capacity for teaching and research, enabling Wayne State University to recruit and retain the best faculty in the nation. I will be pleased to take this new chair to our Board of Governors for formal approval next month."

"We are proud to be a part of this special celebration," said Linda Moore, dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. "In commemorating this 40th anniversary, Bob has generously chosen to honor future media professionals. Bob's legacy will benefit several generations of students."

Ask Your Neighbor made its debut on February 5, 1962 on WWJ-AM, where it remained for 16 years until the station switched to an all-news format.

Twenty-four years and several stations later, the show has remained relatively the same, focusing on household hints and unique recipes. Ask Your Neighbor airs from 9-11 a.m. Monday through Friday on WNZK-AM (690).

Bob Allison began his broadcasting career 52 years ago. In addition to Ask Your Neighbor, he is also known as the former host of Channel 4's successful Bowling for Dollars and for his love of music. A pianist, Allison plays for the Detroit Rotary Club and DAC Beaver meetings, and has performed with the Warren Symphony.

Allison has been a board member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Advisory Board of Focus Life, Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan, Oakland Community College, and past president of Variety Club. He also works with the Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, the Michigan Heart Association and other charitable groups. He is a member of the Detroit Rotary Club, the Adcraft Club, the Broadcast Pioneers, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Screen Actor's Guild, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Renaissance Club, and Oakland Hills County Club.

Allison lives with Maggie, his wife, on the fourth fairway of Oakland Hills Country Club. They have six adult children and 11 grandchildren.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 14 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students.