After spending almost a decade in radio, Phil Beskid decided to settle down in Bowling Green and utilize his master’s degree in Recording Arts. He has been a professor at BGSU for five — after three years teaching elsewhere — and mainly teaches audio courses and advises the student-run Falcon Radio and community staple WBGU-FM.
Beskid remains exceedingly humble with his experience in the industry throughout numerous cities across the country.
“I’ve worked in Chicago, New York, Vermont, Milwaukee, Colorado and Missouri,” he said.
Most of the time, you can find Beskid in this space, hiding behind the desk or teaching a class.
One of his favorite classrooms is the Stanton Audio Recording Studio; this studio has an expansive ceiling with large windows that fill the room with natural light. In the right corner of the room is a grand piano, and in the left is a burnt orange drum set. With polished wooden floors and sound-proof walls, this area is dedicated to capturing quality audio recordings.
Towering at six foot, five inches tall with a scraggly beard and wide smile, the professor’s appearance reflects his laid back — yet hands on — teaching style.
Brady Lowe, a sophomore Media Production major, described Beskid as, “…very chill, yet engaging.”
When it comes to assignments for his courses, Lowe said Beskid “encourages us to make each project our own. Everyone’s projects always sound different when we review them in class.”
Grace Bryant, also a sophomore Media Production major, agreed with Lowe.
“In Phil’s teaching style, he adjusts to our educational needs and promotes creativity,” she said.
And Beskid’s professional radio experience provides real world examples of the industry to his students.
“Anytime he talks about his time in the radio industry has been helpful. Not only is it interesting, but it provides some real insight on what that career path is like,” Bryant said.
Beskid is able to tailor his courses based on the aspects of radio that were applicable in his career.
“It’s gonna sound corny, but it’s when you can see the impact you have on other students. And when you can see what they’re capable of is the best reward,” Beskid said.
Media Production professor Jose Cardenas, who works alongside Beskid, described his teaching style as an “open-floor approach.”
“He does a good job keeping his students engaged,” Cardenas said.
Cardenas said media production is a hands-on study, but it is ultimately Beskid’s personality that students enjoy.
“He’s very warm and is willing to help out,” he said.
Despite being a busy father of two, Beskid is always available for students who need help. Cardenas said his extensive participation in school events shows his care for BGSU.
The radio industry not only has high competition and low job security, but it often requires a nomadic lifestyle.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to settle down … it’s definitely hard to do when working in radio. Pay isn’t great unless you become part of the elite,” he said. “Not a recipe for a solid family life or work life balance, at least for me.”
Although still young, Beskid is determined to pass his passion for music and media down to his daughters — 8-year-old Sylvia and 5-year-old Lucy — and often brings them to the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Center.
“These girls are here so often they probably spend more time here than some of my colleagues,” he joked.
