Rowan Radio manager announces retirement, looks back on 35 years

South Jersey Times - NJ.com, November 23, 2012

GLASSBORO — After more than three decades with Rowan Radio WGLS-FM, Frank Hogan is turning off his transmitter for a little while.

Hogan, 62, has been general manager of the award-winning student-run radio station since 1991 — the first and only general manager, after serving in multiple capacities as adjunct instructor and program developer with Rowan University’s radio, television and film department since 1977.

Announcing his retirement recently, he’s already begun taking six weeks of owed vacation time.

Hogan’s last official day with the station is Dec. 31.

“They didn’t want me to leave,” the Washington Township resident said. “But the station is in such good shape, it’s a good time to go. It’s on good terms.”

When Hogan first came on board as manager, he said he was only going to try it out for a year.

One year turned into 22.

Current assistant station manager Derek Jones will take the helm in his place.

“He was always a natural,” Hogan recalled of Jones ability since he was hired about 10 years ago.

And Hogan’s own professional opinion is nothing to scoff at, having spent most of his life in radio, whether he was a disc jockey, on-air announcer or production engineer.

He has been behind the scenes at WIBG, WYSP, WPBS, WFIL, and WTYO-AM. He’s received certifications and degrees from the Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute and the Cleveland Institute of Technology, and he is also a member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.

Having seen the field of radio evolve, he clearly remembers the minuscule signal and reach that Rowan Radio had when it first launched. Now, it’s 24/7/365 in three states.

“We cover South Jersey, Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania,” he offered.

The students have become more dedicated to the program, too, according to Hogan.

However, the shifts he’s noticed in the listening audience haven’t always been heartening.

“I think most people under 35 years old don’t listen to the radio,” Hogan said. “Back in the 1970’s, people moving in on campus would have huge speakers. Now, they all have iPods.”

The veteran broadcaster doesn’t know what the future holds for radio, but he wants to see more personality injected into broadcasts, similar to a time when “everyone knew who their DJs were.”

Of the things he’ll miss most about his time at Rowan, he said his colleagues and students rank highest.

“I’m really grateful that I was able to stay there and meet so many wonderful people. And the students are key. They’re a likable bunch,” Hogan said. “The thing I’ll miss the most is helping the kids.”

Since he announced his retirement, people keep asking Hogan what he’s going to do next.

Besides turning the radio off for a couple weeks and maybe picking up a new instrument, he’s not too certain.

Well, he is sure of one thing, he said.

“I’ll listen to more music.”