KJ Mueller was selected as the recipient of a scholarship established by a former WOUB student
KJ Mueller, a rising senior music production and contemporary music double major, says he was pleasantly surprised when he learned that he would receive $950 as the recipient of the Leonard E. Auerbach Regional Reps Scholarship, established by a former WOUB student.
“I am extremely grateful for it," Mueller said.
The Leonard E. Auerbach Regional Reps Scholarship was established by former WOUB student Stuart Sharpe. The award gives preference to students with experience at places on campus like WOUB. The student must be enrolled in the School of Media Arts and Studies to qualify.
Sharpe graduated from Ohio University in 1964 and again in 1966. He went on to have a long career as an executive in the media business. He worked in radio advertising and then owned the Regional Reps Corporation before retiring.
Mueller came to Ohio University from Westlake, Ohio near Cleveland. He chose Ohio University specifically because it had an established music production program and that was his primary area of interest.
“The program had been around for a while and there were many extracurricular opportunities available,” said Mueller. “Also, the culture and location of Ohio University attracted me. I enjoy being outside in nature.”
Last summer, Mueller was part of the multi-camera student crew that produces live content for the jumbo screen at the main stage for the Nelsonville Music Festival. The students also worked with WOUB on the production of the Sycamore Sessions. The sessions are a collaborative effort between the Nelsonville Music Festival, WOUB Public Media, and the Ohio University Scripps College of Communication’s School of Media Arts and Studies. The performances are meticulously recorded and produced by media arts and atudies students under the guidance of Host and Director Josh Antonuccio, as well as the following Associate Producers: Director of Photography Andie Walla (Media Arts and Studies Associate Professor of Instruction), Audio Supervisor Adam Rich (WOUB), and WOUB’s Arts and Culture Editor Emily Votaw.
“During the production of the Sycamore Sessions, I met Adam Rich,” said Mueller. “And eventually he offered me a student position working with audio at WOUB.”
Mueller ran the audio board for WOUB FM’s broadcast of Ohio University football and basketball during fall semester.
“I enjoyed being able to help out Adam in the first place,” said Mueller. “And it was definitely cool to see more of the radio broadcast side of things.”
Mueller wants to pursue a career in the music industry, hopefully playing in a band while owning his own recording studio one day. He is also interested in working on live sound production at music festivals.
“If I would meet Mr. Sharpe, I would tell him I am extremely grateful and appreciative that he is looking out for the students of WOUB and creating opportunities for kids like me to help us along the journey.”
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