University of the Ozarks has an award-winning radio show produced on campus and the man behind the production is a dedicated, laid-back junior Radio-Television-Video (RTV) major from Houston, Texas.
For the past two years Alix Tiegs has produced the weekly, one-hour "The Big Show: Professors of Pop Culture," featuring professors Dr. Sean Coleman and Dr. Jesse Weiss, for KUOZ-FM 100.5. This semester the show received a Silver Microphone Trophy in the category of Best Specialty Show by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.
Not only does Tiegs lead a group of students who run the production, his responsibilities include loading the music and sound bites that will be used on-air. He also runs the audio board during the show and monitors social media feeds and the phone lines for audience interaction. After the show, Tiegs edits the production and prepares it for rebroadcasting throughout the week.
The Big Show recently received a Silver Microphone Trophy in the category of Best Specialty Show by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.
The show’s on-air personalities, Coleman and Weiss, credit Tiegs for the show’s success.
"Alix has a great demeanor for the show because he’s very professional and takes his responsibilities very seriously, but he’s laid-back enough to take everything in stride and kind of go with the flow," said Coleman. "Dr. Weiss and I aren’t always as prepared as we probably should be, but Alix always has everything set up and ready to go. We just show up and do what we always do---talk. There wouldn’t be an award-winning show without Alix’s hard work and dedication."
Tiegs is quick to reflect the credit back to the show’s hosts, who have tabbed their understudy a Padawan, which is a Jedi-in-training in Star Wars jargon.
"It’s a great honor to be recognized with an award, but I have to put all of the credit and thanks to the professors," Tiegs said. "Every week their charisma, personality, and charm shines through and allows outstanding radio to be created. I have had the great pleasure to be a Padawan of popular culture underneath them, and I look forward to continuing to work with the show for the next year."
Susan Edens, director of broadcasting, said The Big Show has been one of KUOZ’s longest-running and most popular shows.
"I attribute the success of the show to Alix and his quest for greatness and quality in all that he endeavors," Edens said. "I also give credit to the hosts, Dr. Coleman and Dr. Weiss. The keys to a good show are: interesting and compelling personalities and topics, preparation, a balance of fun and professionalism, a programming clock, and the ability to keep the show moving forward. The Big Show team uses social media to promote the show and to actively engage the listeners during the program. So the show is great for pop culture fans but it is also fun for everyone because they educate about the topic and become a friend over the airwaves. It’s like stopping in at a café with friends to share some laughs and have a fun conversation every week. I’m so proud of the entire production staff and the show."
Edens represented Ozarks last week at the 2015 IBS Conference in New York City where the awards were announced
"I think University of the Ozarks made a positive impression among the 500 or so in attendance," Edens said. "Other schools at the conference and in the competition included, Goshen College, University of Tennessee, DePaul, University of Wisconsin, Marshall University, Long Beach State, and Princeton, just to name a few. I think we were in good company. We want to do it again next year and maybe enter in a few other categories as well."
Tiegs said he’s excited about gaining the type of hands-on experience he’s receiving as a college student.
"After graduation, I could see myself getting into the radio business through other radio affiliates in the area," he said. "I also have a huge interest in anything that is live TV or live sports broadcasting. I see myself happy and pursuing any profession relating to TV, radio, or even film, so working with this show has been incredibly beneficial. "
Topics: Communication Studies