Chet LaPrice, Ph.D.
Educational Media Consulting
Above Average Terrain.
Professional Accomplishments:
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Operations Manager, 90.5 WERG at Gannon University: 2002-present
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Recipient of the 2014 Abraham & Borst Award as Best College Radio Station in America
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2021 Winner: Best College Station in the Nation; All Universities Under 10,000 Enrollment
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Facilitated a management hierarchical structure empowering students with practical applications in facility operation; directing a staff of approximately sixty (60) students and volunteers per school term
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Daily interaction with and mentoring of the student staff, culminating in a positive learning experience for creative students (in and outside of our discipline as a major) to enhance their skills in a professionally-run, collaborative practical environment
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Directed the station reallocation from 89.9 to 90.5-FM, quadrupling terrestrial coverage area; compiled necessary data for the requisite FCC construction permit and related forms
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Established strategic and tactical planning initiatives culminating in major capital upgrades: AudioArts D75 studio control board (2008); Wide Orbit Automation for Radio (2009, 2017, 2022); secured $5000 grant to build production studio (2014); secured $15,000 grant for new STL and audio processing (2022), new audio streaming hardware (2015, 2017); STL upgrades (2005, 2016, 2022); station website (2016); new transmitter (2017); NBC NewsRadio affiliation (2019)
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Fluent in FCC rules and regulations as well as maintaining the Public File; renewed station license successfully in 2006, 2014, and 2022.
Board Member, Intercollegiate Broadcasting System: 2015-present
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Consultant to IBS member stations internationally; specializing in formulating programming strategies, nurturing talent, creating compelling digital production, developing and executing successful budget plans, and integrating station operations and programming with a marketing focus on the university and the community at-large
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Speaker for national and regional IBS conferences
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National High School Coordinator for IBS Annual Media Awards Competition
Music/Production Director, WXTA Radio (97.9 Edinboro, PA): 1991-2001
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Designed and implemented scheduling philosophy and music rotation to attract desired core audience
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Initiated transition to digital in June 2000 when station went on-line with AudioVault
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Developed signature sound of the Country Music format reflecting tastes of the Erie County market; extensive experience in working with consultants, record company executives, and promoters to select and focus station programming
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Voting Member, Country Music Association (1998-2002)
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Education:
2023 Doctor of Philosophy Gannon University Erie, PA
2011 Master of Business Administration Gannon University Erie, PA
1992 Bachelor of Arts, Electronic Media Gannon University Erie, PA
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