Owens Community College Radio

OutCast, OCCR

Rob Thomas, Advisor

July 15, 2023

OCCR

Owens Community College Radio (OutCast, OCCR) is a student-run station providing interested Owens students an initial experience in radio and podcast production.

Students within the Broadcast Media Technology Program and Music Business Technology Program participate at the station to create a professional body of work to showcase their application of skills for potential employers.

The Rod Podcaster Pro is used in the OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio podcast studio to create topical student content.

OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio serves the Owens and regional community with a 24/7 online stream of opinion, weather, entertainment, news and sports. The station is part of the Owens OutComm Student Media Center (OOSMC).

The OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio streaming studio.

Owens OutComm Student Media Center (OOSMC) is a student-run media center that provides interested Owens students an initial experience through integrated media communications that include radio, audio recording and production, digital newspaper, photography, film and video, and social media content creation.

A view from the on-air audio console. The view outside the window looks out on the Student Health and Activities Center (SHAC) entryway near the fitness center.

OOSMC houses several digital platforms allowing Owens Community College students interested in media technology to pursue, create, connect and discover the power of digital communication through digital layout, graphic design, audio production, video production, motion graphics, photography and web design.

OutCast air staff use the audio console and music assist software during their live programs. When students are not streaming live, the music automation software keeps the station streaming 24/7.

Students within the Broadcast Media Technology, Music Business Technology, Commercial Art, Photography and Communications programs participate within the media center to create a professional body of work that will showcase their application of skills for potential employers.

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.