By By Jessica Moon
All the way from 88.7 WRHU, the University’s radio station, to Fox News Radio, alumni Andrew Gladding is making strides in his career.
As a young child Gladding had a passion for radio. After producing music post projects at 13, he realized it was a career he had to pursue. Ten years later at age 23, Gladding is now an engineering manager at Fox News Radio. His job tasks include, maintaining equipment, allocating future projects and deciding resources and persons necessary for upcoming projects. Gladding also troubleshoots problems during a technical crisis at the station. Confronted daily with new technical or logistical issues, he feels his position cannot be categorized as mundane and fruitless, but describes it as “quite an adventure.”
In December 2004 Gladding received his bachelor’s degree in audio and radio from the University. He graduated with the knowledge and experience he could implement toward his career and lasting memories he could employ in life.
“The University provided me with the networking resources and pre-professional development I needed to succeed in a corporate environment,” Gladding said. He also mentioned the practical and manageable pace provided by the University, which helped him develop skills at his own personal comfort level.
Gladding reminisces on the faculty, commending their ability to refine and sculpt his comprehension of audio and radio by recruiting industry leaders to partake in academic contributions. His academic advisor, Mario Murillo, “taught [him] to look for dynamic flow within [his] projects and helped [him] set reasonable timeliness.” Gladding also said that Murillo had been a tremendous help by shaping a reasonable and manageable timeline for his graduation.
Professor Barbara E. Kelly, associate professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Media Studies was “instrumental in helping prepare for presentations and streamline the content that [the students] were using.”
Gladding continued to attribute his success to Professor Robert Licata, an assistant professor of journalism and mass media studies.
“[He is] a great guy and excellent professor,” he said. “He would get you to look and think outside the box. This is very important in this industry.”
Gladding was enrolled in several of Professor Licata’s courses throughout his time at the University, including the Critical Review of Broadcast Media and Mass Media History and Development.
Licata remembers Gladding “as a unique package of skills as well as academic knowledge.”
“I had no doubt Andy would take things on and be responsible and be a very important part of the industry,” Licata said.
Ms. Susan Murphy, an assistant dean and adjunct instructor in the audio, video and film, referred Andrew Gladding to Fox News Radio. Gladding recalls Ms. Murphy as a “very talented industry professional and an exceptional teacher. She knows how to connect with her students and bridge the gap between the professional arena and educational arena,” he said. Ms. Murphy did that for Gladding.
Kevin Magee, senior executive vice president for Fox News Television and president of Fox News Radio, was in search for prospective individuals who could perform exceptionally at the radio service, which at the time, was still being established. Ms. Murphy knew the individual to fit the engineering position; Andrew Gladding.
While most students in the field wanted to be in the front of the microphone, Gladding took another direction.
“Andy is the only guy I know that wanted to be the technical guy,” Ms. Murphy said.
Students listened as Gladding would discuss the technical side of the radio, going into detail through illustrations on the board, covering all aspects necessary to understand the basics of radio.
Ms. Murphy recalls him as student who possessed the “talent, drive and personality it takes to work in the industry.”
It was this drive that led Ms. Murphy to refer Gladding to work for industry friend Scott Gennett, owner of a company that provides speakers, podiums, and other auditory services called Wireless Services and now, at Fox News Radio.
Gladding was not a man who limited himself to academia. He participated in numerous clubs including Pep Band, Student Government, University Video Productions and 88.7 WRHU. At WRHU, he was the music director, production manager and morning show producer. Not only did he make life-long friends at the station, but made a large contribution to the morning show. Gladding extended the show to three hours and added music to the line-up. In addition, he expanded the promotional capacity of the station and lengthened the charting system.
Fox News Radio is a radio service that provides news coverage to subscribed radio stations and has live newscasts at the top and bottom of the hour. Gladding said Fox News Radio is also generating talk networks that will have talk programming available to radio stations by subscription.
Outside his job, Gladding freelances in audio post production and plays with a rock and R&B band called, “Cold Flavor Repair,” which perform all around Manhattan, Long Island and once a month at Gunther’s Tap Room in Northport, NY. Though he plans on staying at Fox News Radio, he hopes to eventually work at a university as either an industry resource or a professor. He is also considering a master’s in education or technology.
“When it comes to your major area, learn everything you can and definitely [develop a bond] with your professors,” Gladding said, offering advice to current students. “They are a valuable resource and will help you to the end if you show them you are willing to work.”