Tom Stewart
“A Lecturer at The Ohio State University.” After hearing that title, it would be normal to make assumptions about the journey that person took to get in that position. Possible assumptions would include years of graduate school and a passion and fervor for research. However, Tom Stewart’s story is a little different.
Graduating from Ohio State in 1972 with his bachelor’s degree in communication and education, Tom went to work for the advertising company that was in charge of McDonald’s restaurants, J. Scott Corporation.
Having a passion for the broadcasting business, Tom only stayed with J. Scott agency for four years. Beginning in 1976 Tom started his broadcasting and media career as a local account executive for WBNS Radio. For the next twenty-five years, Tom stayed in the media world, with positions at WBNS Radio and WBNS-TV. At one point within that almost three decade time period, Tom served as the youngest major market radio station general manager in the United States. Another accomplishment of Tom’s was winning the right to be the exclusive radio voice of The Ohio State Buckeye Athletic Department. Through this, Ohio State football and basketball coverage became a prominent part of the radio station’s programming. Serving as general manager for both WBNS Radio and WBNS- TV, Tom helped guide the stations to dominance.
Retiring at the close of 2001 as the senior executive of WBNS, Tom pursued a long-term goal of his: teaching. Returning back to Ohio State, Tom became a lecturer in the Department of Human and Community Resource Development (now known as Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership.) Working with students for over ten years, Tom teaches courses like public speaking and public relations.
A favorite lecturer among students who have taken his class, Tom makes it a priority to connect with students and make them the reason he teaches. Outside of class and his numerous other obligations, Tom loves his wife of over 35 years, and adores spending time with his two daughters’ families, including his two grandsons.