Michael Cogdill was born in Asheville, N.C. in 1961.

He considers his hometown of Weaverville an ideal place to grow up, giving him a deep appreciation for Carolina life.

Michael earned his Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, graduating cum laude in 1984. He has been named the University's Distinguished Aluminus, and has created a scholarship at UNC-A in honor of his parents, and in his father's memory. It is the George and Marjorie Cogdill Endowment for Media Studies. Michael considers the liberal arts education he received at UNC-A a key part of his success as a journalist.

Michael's television career began about two weeks after graduation at WECT-TV in Wilmington, NC.

There he was given the opportunity to report, anchor and produce. He also met and married his wife Jill while in Wilmington.

In 1989 Michael came to WYFF News 4 as weekend anchor and reporter, and soon began to make his mark in the Upstate.

Michael has received numerous awards for his exemplary writing and reporting.

Michael's 23 Southern Regional Emmy Awards include the first one ever awarded in the Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville market. He has been named South Carolina Journalist of the Year seven times by the Radio & Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas and received a National Headliner award for a news series on addiction. In addition, Michael has received eight South Carolina Broadcasters Association Star Awards, including anchor of the year, newscaster of the year, reporter of the year, spot news coverage and multiple awards other in the reporting category.

And, in 2006, Michael recieved perhaps the most prestigious award in the field of broadcast journalism, the National Edward R. Murrow Award, for his feature story The Star Who Fell.

Michael can be seen each weeknight at 6 and 11, with co-anchor Carol Goldsmith.

He and his wife Jill have published a children's book titled "Cracker the Crab and the Sideways Afternoon" and Michael has also complete a novel set in the North Carolina Mountains, due to be published in 2009.

In their spare time, Michael and his wife, Jill, enjoy running, working out and dreaming of the beach. The are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville.

Send e-mail to Michael Cogdill