News

Owens Celebrates 10 Years of Student-Driven Broadcasting

Rob Thomas, Faculty Advisor

March 3, 2026

The Owens Student Radio Station turns 10! Retrieved by Pixabay.

On Monday, March 16, 2026, Owens Community College Radio, OutCast, OCCR, will celebrate a decade of keeping the campus and community connected through student-produced, Owens-focused programming.

To mark this milestone anniversary, the station and the Owens OutComm Media Center staff will present a Retro Media static exhibit displayed throughout the SHAC Media Corridor and SHAC rooms 155, 156 and 161.

This exhibit will highlight the evolution of student media at Owens and honors the voices, creativity and collaboration that have defined the station’s first ten years.

Come and experience the celebration from 11 a.m. to 2:00 P.M., which will feature engaging displays, special moments and a few surprises.

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.