Podcast Studio Now Open
By Maci French
Gaylord College's brand new, state-of-the-art podcasting studio is officially open to the public as of March 28. Located on the first floor, the podcast studio is named after the donor who made it possible: John Bonnar McBreen, a journalism major who graduated from OU in 1971 and passed away at age 68 in 2018. McBreen utilized his journalism degree to biome a radio legend known as “Mr. Gallup” in Gallup, New Mexico.
Gaylord’s relationship with John Bonnar McBreen is not a typical one. In 2018, shortly after his passing, OU Director of Development and Alumni Relations Lee Reynolds received a call from Jay Mason, principal of the Mason and Isaacson, P.A. law firm, where she was informed of a $100,000 unrestricted gift left for Gaylord college in McBreen’s estate, which was utilized by Gaylord to provide student scholarships. Shortly after, Reynolds was informed of a second $100,000 gift. The second sum of unrestricted dollars was used to create Gaylord News.
When Reynolds made a personal drive to Gallup, New Mexico, to meet with Jay Mason and personally thank him for helping manage McBreen’s generous gifts, she was elated to discover there was another unrestricted $100,000 gift allotted to Gaylord College.
The third and final gift from McBreen was utilized to create the John Bonnar McBreen Podcast Studio. Gaylord is passionate about preparing its staff and students for the ever-changing media world the best it can. As podcasting continues to expand, becoming a hotspot for news, entertainment media, investigative journalism, advertising and more, Gaylord is thrilled for a new, hands-on “classroom” to best prepare Gaylord students for life outside its walls. University of Oklahoma President, Joseph Harroz Jr., made an inaugural use of the equipment in the studio this month.
The John Bonnar McBreen Podcast Studio will be available to current Gaylord students and faculty as well as Gaylord alumni. The space will be available for rent in three-hour increments, managed by The Cage. For more information, contact Victor Cabellero at vcabellero@ou.edu.
Hours will be as follows:
- Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The impact of the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, not only on the local community but on the world, continues to expand. Gaylord College is eternally grateful for donors like John Bonnar McBreen who recognize the impact of education and the power that lies in good storytelling.
