Running a radio station sounds like it would be hard and you could potentially hate your job, but Dave Baker runs the SAU radio station with ease. Meet the Man behind KALA, Dave Baker!
Hometown: Davenport, Iowa
Education: St. Ambrose University, 1988 — BA — Mass Communications, Minor in History
Hobbies: Amateur “Ham” Radio, Collecting Vinyl Records, Sorting Through My Baseball Cards!
Campus Involvement: I support SAU’s efforts in diversity by making sure KALA Radio is not only recognized regionally as a great radio station, but also one of the most diverse and welcoming stations in the bi-state area. I’ve served on many committees during my time here. I support The Arts at SAU, too!
Time spent at SAU: 27 years as an employee (I started working here in 1989).
Favorite food: I like really healthy salads, but I also like pizza (who doesn’t?) and Asian cuisine.
Favorite movie: This changes a lot. At one time I was on a disaster movie diet, later I liked movies like “Silence of The Lambs.” I follow actors and actresses less than I follow great story lines.
Favorite singer/band: Anyone who knows me knows I love The Beatles, especially Paul McCartney. Most of The Beatles’ songs were positive and about love.
Favorite song: There are a lot of favorite songs for me– but I still love The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” If you’re ever having a bad day, just remember: “…don’t carry the world upon your shoulders…”
Favorite place in the QC: Any kind of small antique shop, flea market, or cool out-of-the-way spot! I really like bringing friends or my family to places they’ve not seen in the Quad Cities.
Guilty pleasure: You might find me watching old TV shows from time-to-time. What I’ve noticed is some shows stand the test of time, and some don’t make the cut. You really can tell which producers were the best editors of their own work.
Role model: Bobby Kennedy– he was quick, smart, funny and stood for justice in uncertain times. I often what our country would have been like if he had been elected President in 1968 instead of Richard Nixon?
Favorite spot on campus: I like the area directly in front of Ambrose Hall under The Oaks. It’s hard to imagine what Ambrose Hall looked like when it was first built, but standing there and absorbing the environment gives you a sense of perspective and the long history at SAU.
Favorite SAU memory: I ran a video camera for the inauguration of SAU President Dr. Edward Rogalski in October 1987 from a cherry picker. SAUtv (TV-11 at the time) recorded and telecast the entire event with multiple cameras. It was a major production involving about a dozen students, faculty and staff as crew. The ceremony took place outside under The Oaks, and it was rather brisk out that day. I had a scarf on and wore a hat to keep warm. Later, I asked Dr. Rogalski if he saw me that day running a camera from that location. He said, “Oh, it was YOU up there!” (He smiled…)
Favorite thing about the Communication Department: I really like everyone here. We’re like a big family. We have our disagreements from time to time, but in the end we all get along very well.
If you were giving a tour to a student who is undecided, what would you say to sway them towards the Communication Dept.: A student can get involved right away to gain valuable experience towards a lifetime career! We have outstanding facilities and experienced faculty and staff ready to show the way.
Greatest achievement: Seeing my children succeed in their own ambitions.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years: I can’t begin to imagine what our lives will be like in 10 years, but I would like to continue in my role here to make sure we keep growing as a department.
Why do you love SAU? St. Ambrose University is great because we learn and live together in an open, encompassing environment. Students are allowed to question, ponder, explore and make their own conclusions within the realm of learning. Our campus believes in the self-worth of everyone, and that promotes learning and growth!
If you could do one thing, what would it be: Hike The Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. I think I’d need a leave of absence to do this, though!
What is one thing people may not know about you: I renamed the SAU newspaper from “The Ambrose Magazine” to “The Buzz” (formerly “The Buzz: On Campus”) in 1992. I actually got permission from Don Moeller, our Provost at the time, to make the change! We also changed format, by moving the publication from an expensive magazine format to a more financially-manageable news/tabloid size publication.
*Photos provided by Johnna Kerres and Ray Congrove