World Aids Day programming receives IBS Media Awards nomination

Host Joe Smith aka Dr. Jay Thomas up for recognition

Rob Thomas

December 14, 2023

Randomosity: Joe Smith aka Dr. Jay Thomas

During the Fall 2023 semester, OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio submitted programs from its streaming schedule to the Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS) annual awards. IBS is an 82-year old all volunteer organization that supports the students, faculty and staff of college and high school media outlets.

Joe Smith, aka Dr. Jay Thomas, an Owens Community College student studying Broadcast Media Technology produced and hosted a show for World Aids Day. The premiere stream took place Thursday, December 1, 2022.

Smith’s intentional look at HIV/AIDS brought awareness and a better understanding about a disease that took the lives of many famous people in music, film and sports, and the lives of everyday people.

The World Aids Day program was recently nominated by IBS for “Best Public Affairs Program”.

Click “here” to listen to the World Aids Day program. Winners of the IBS Awards will be announced at the annual conference, March 2, 2024, at the Sheraton Times Square in New York City.

Smith is no stranger to nominations for his production and on-air delivery. Locally, the Toledo City Paper “Best of Toledo 2023” has his radio/podcast program “Randomosity – Toledo’s Only Vinyl Radio Show” nominated for public vote in the categories of Best Radio Show and Best Local Podcast. Cast a vote “here” once per day, per email through Friday, December 15.

About the Contributor

Rob Thomas, Faculty Advisor

Rob Thomas is an Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts faculty member. He is the Broadcast Media and Technology assistant professor and advisor for the Owens OutComm Student Media Center. Before coming to instruct full time at Owens Community College, Rob served several years with the YMCA of Greater Toledo within their marketing and communications department, promoting the organization to staff, members, volunteers, community collaborators, media, and the community at large. Prior to his career with the Y, Rob spent 18 years in the broadcast industry as air talent and production director for Clear Channel (now known as iHeart Media) that included Toledo radio stations 92.5 Kiss FM, (WVKS), 101.5 The River (WRVF), FM 104 WIOT, 1230 AM-WCWA and 1370 AM-WSPD. Rob is a multimedia producer and content creator, utilizing his skills to help not-for-profit and for-profit businesses increase their awareness to the audience they serve. Clients Rob has worked with include Car Stereo One, The Erie Shores Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Jeffrey Mann Fine Jewelers, Stone Oak Business Condominiums, The Toledo Diocese Office of Black Catholic Ministry, the Sylvania Northview Wildcat Marching Band, and most recently OhioMeansJobs Lucas County. Rob earned a Bachelors degree in Radio-Television Production with emphasis on Broadcast Script Writing from Ohio University (Athens, Ohio). His hobbies and interests include improv, science fiction, radio plays, collecting sound effects, making short films, and hosting the Classic Rock Lunch, heard Thursdays from 11 am until 1 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm, on OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio. Rob also volunteers his time and talent to the community in various ways, including mentoring local elementary school students for their televised closed-circuit morning announcements, tutoring students and serving on committees for his church. Rob is the former voice of the Sylvania Northview High School Wildcats Marching Band and announced the music selections during pre-game and half-time performances. He also served on the Harbor, Inc. board of trustees.