Tom Beck, M.A.

Research

Tom Beck has been with The University of Akron for over 33 years having arrived here in June of 1978. Tom was hired by a newly formed Department of Mass Media – Communication to serve as a faculty member and general manager of public radio station WAUP-FM. In those days The University of Akron’s radio station had a broadcast signal that covered downtown Akron and a student involvement that included only 9 UA students. The station had virtually no listeners. During the past three decades Tom built the broadcasting program at The University of Akron into one that has captured national attention. WAUP was renamed WZIP for a closer identification with The University of Akron, and today’s signal covers most of Northeast Ohio. WZIP ranks consistently in the #1 and #2 positions for the number of listeners nationwide for all stations in its category. Approximately 100,000 people tune to WZIP every week. Of interest is the fact that the broadcasting program raises the majority of its operating budget from sources outside The University of Akron.

Publications

WZIP Operations Manuals

Media Usage Handbook for Non-profit Organizations

“Electronic Media In Northeast Ohio,” Chapter in Economic Atlas of Northeast Ohio (1991)

“How Do TV Parents Compare to Real Parents?” Journalism Quarterly, Summer (1976)

Safety Games for Children – over 500,000 in print

Education

M.A., Radio and Television Management, Ohio University, 1975
B. S., English/Communication/Education, Slippery Rock State College of Pennsylvania, 1973