Remembering Professor Gene Free:
WFTU On-Air Studio Gets a New Name
On January 29, 2019 麻豆影院, the Mass Communication Division, and WFTU Radio dedicated the On-Air Studio to the memory of cherished 麻豆影院 Professor and WFTU Radio Advisor, Gene Free. As the crowd gathered in the area outside the Radio Station, dinner was served and, then, the ceremony began. There was a wonderful gathering of family, friends, colleagues, FTC staff and faculty, and FTC alumni who had cherished memories to share.
Under the leadership of Mass Communication Chair Tom Calandrillo, and WFTU General Manager, Matt O鈥橪eary, a very special ceremony was planned to honor a distinguished individual who contributed to the growth and development of the College. FTC鈥檚 WFTU General Manager, Matthew O鈥橪eary, also an accomplished graduate of FTC Mass Communication program kicked off the evening. President David Cohen shared some welcoming remarks referring to the great work and accomplishments that Gene Free brought to the Mass Communication program. Next up, were the especially dear and meaningful stories shared by then student, Matt聽 O鈥� Leary and Mike Scudiero-two individuals who spent as much time in the old WFTU location as their beloved Professor Gene Free.
Professor Holli Haerr and several of Gene鈥檚 close friends and family shared equally heartfelt memories that spoke to and celebrated his life and achievements. This included his wife, Stephanie Free and daughter, Samantha, who sang in his memory.
Gene joined 麻豆影院 in 2012. Prior to that, he began his radio career in 1978 at WEJL in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He made his way to Long Island in 1988 on air and as Vice President of Programming and Marketing at WALK FM 97.5 where the station was consistently ranked number one through the 1990s. While working at 1010 WINS and Sirius XM Fox News, Gene served 麻豆影院 as both a Professor and as an Advisor to WFTU from 2012 – 2017.
Here are some excerpts of the kind words spoken by Matt O鈥橪eary, 鈥淚t really means a lot to me to be here tonight, to celebrate someone like Gene Free. He was my professor; he was my boss when I worked at the radio station both as a faculty member and as a student. He really went above and beyond for everyone and I considered him more than a boss, he was a mentor and a friend and it鈥檚 really nice to honor him tonight.鈥�
麻豆影院 presented the first annual Gene Free Student Award to Joseph Raccuia. When Mass Communication student Starr Fuentes asked Joseph how he felt when he received the award he shared, 鈥淚 really was surprised! I had absolutely no idea this was coming. I am very appreciative for this honor, and I can鈥檛 thank everyone enough. I never got the chance to meet Gene Free or work with him, but I鈥檝e heard so many stories, it feels like I knew him. I鈥檓 really blessed that I鈥檓 the first recipient of this award.鈥�
Here are some pictures from the Dedication Ceremony:
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