Dave Black (M.A.'03, Journalism) has had his hands on every part of WSUM Student Radio’s operations since well before it flipped the switch. He has secured its funding, built its personnel and policy infrastructure, guided its technological development and more.
Most importantly, Black’s work has built a foundation for students to manage the station themselves, not simply rely on his considerable knowledge. Although the station has only operated for a decade, several of its alumni now hold broadcasting jobs in top markets nationwide.
Black
Black, the general manager of WSUM, is one of nine academic staff members from across campus being recognized with a 2015 Academic Staff Excellence Award. Black received the Wisconsin Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Leadership: Individual Unit Level.
As a hands-on educator and mentor, Black has extended WSUM’s service mission to the campus and wider community. The station has supported classroom activities in several departments, and he has made the facility available to student groups and precollege programs. He is committed to diversity and social justice, building pathways to encourage high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds to explore media careers.
“The title of GM still does not sit well with him,” says former student Jason Cohen (B.A.'94, Communication Arts and Journalism), now an Academy Award nominee. “He sees himself as collaborator first and foremost with the students.”
Chancellor Rebecca Blank honored Black and the rest of the recipients in a ceremony at the Fluno Center April 7, and the Academic Staff Assembly recognized this year’s honorees at its meeting April 13.
To read about the rest of the award recipients, read the full story from University Communications.