CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas Association of Broadcasters will be honoring Mac Aipperspach at its annual awards gala Thursday in Austin.
Aipperspach is a professor with the Del Mar's Communications, Languages and Reading Department and the Radio and Television program.
He began his broadcast career in 1972 on-air at John Brown University's campus radio station. He later became the station manager.
After graduating, Aipperspach worked at KAMO radio in Rogers-Bentonville, Ark., and then at Texas stations KBUD in Athens and KPAN in Hereford. Upon completing his master’s degree in Radio, Television , Film at the University of North Texas, he landed a teaching position in 1981 with Del Mar’s Radio and Television Program, which started the previous year.
Aipperspach transformed the Radio and Television Program, adding a television studio with auxiliary rooms for audio and video editing, providing students with hands-on, industry-realistic training.
Many of his students have gone on to have successful careers in the broadcast industry.
"To have your colleagues nominate you even while you're still teaching, that's quite an honor." Aipperspach says.
There are five prestigious awards being presented at tomorrow's gala:
- Pioneer of the Year: Jackie Rutledge (retired)
- Television Broadcaster of the Year: Eric Lassberg, KXAN-TV Austin
- Radio Broadcaster of the Year: Tania Moody, KLVT-AM Levelland
- George Marti Award for Engineering Excellence: David Stewart, KPET-AM Lamesa/Moving Target Consulting
- Educator of the Year: Mac Aipperspach, Del Mar College
