John O'Rourke was a broadcast journalist known as the voice of Mower County and Austin's favorite emcee for civic events, pageants, and sporting contests. After graduating from St. Thomas College, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea with the Armed Forces Radio Division. In 1961, he arrived in Austin and began a career with KAUS Radio and KAAL-TV. In 1972, Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute asked him to create the Radio and Television Broadcasting Program, and for 23 years he shared his passion for broadcasting as a teacher and mentor. He also served eight years on the city council and was mayor of Austin from 1986 to 1996, developing the radio show "Meet the Mayor" to answer questions directly from the citizens of Austin.