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Craig Melvin
Craig Melvin, a WIS-TV news anchor and one of the most familiar faces in the Midlands, will be leaving the station in July.
He will become a reporter and anchor on NBC-owned WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., placing Melvin in a top 10 TV market.
“If I don’t go now, I do think I would spend a fair amount of my time wondering ‘what if,’” Melvin said. “So I want to go out there and see.”
Melvin, 28, will be the weekend evening anchor, and he’ll fill in during the week. He’ll also get some in-depth reporting assignments.
A Columbia High School and Wofford College graduate, Melvin began working at WIS as a high school student. After joining the station full time in 2001, he began his swift on-camera rise, first as the featured morning reporter and in the popular “Craig Cam” segments.
He later anchored several news editions and began hosting “Awareness,” a Sunday-morning program before moving into the weekday anchor role.
He won an Emmy award in 2006, and last year was named best anchor by the South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association. On Tuesday, Melvin said “Wounded Warriors,” a series he reported from Germany that profiled injured soldiers who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, collected an Edward R. Murrow Award.
Melvin was well-liked by viewers, including Elza Hayen, who wasn’t shocked to hear he was leaving.
“I’m a little surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” she said. “We’ve been fortunate to have Craig serve as a strong voice for our community.”
Melvin also is a familiar face around town. He sat on the boards of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the South Carolina Philharmonic and Hootie and The Blowfish’s Monday After the Masters tournament.
He was the tournament’s humorous first tee announcer, said Susan Graham, Hootie’s spokeswoman.
“He welcomes teams to the tee and with his own style, puts his spin and commentary on their efforts — or lack thereof,” she said.
Melvin has been seen jogging in the Rosewood area, retrieving his dog, Trouble, from his neighbors’ yards, hanging out at St. Pat’s in Five Points, the Rosewood Crawfish Festival and several 5 Points bars.
He has moderated panels at the Richland Country Public Library and once hosted a call-in show on what is now WLXC-FM Kiss 103.1.
Some weeks it seemed Melvin was everywhere. He has a face — and personality — that will be missed.
And he’ll miss Columbia.
“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, I’ve thought long and hard about what I’m leaving behind.”
Reach Taylor at (803) 771-8362.
