Meet Michael Tucker | WOLF Radio Operations Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Tucker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
For 12 years now, WOLF Radio has always lived by the motto “For Students, By Students”. As a college radio station, it’s important that students have that opportunity to express themselves. College radio has always been that last bastion of free speech and free expression. We let the students who work and volunteer here decide what they want to talk about and what is important to them, and especially with the way media has been looked at the past few years, it’s important that we don’t push them in any direction so that all voices can be represented.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I actually started working here at WOLF Radio as a student back in 2012 or 2013. Back then I was just creating the production for the station, your typical imaging and branding audio. During those few years, I got to experience so much, from creating a radio commercial series for the entire University to interning at a major radio cluster in Atlanta. I was given so many opportunities and it showed. During this time I won a number of national awards and that feeling was the greatest thing.

After graduating I went on to work as a producer and on-air talent at a local radio group for about 4 years. This was not as exciting but still fun because it was something new, but I was always left wanting something more. Then in 2017 I was asked to apply to come back to the University of West Georgia and work as the Operations Manager for WOLF Radio. I couldn’t resist. The thought of getting to go back to where I started and give back to the students, to help them experience those same highs I had was all I could think about.

That is my drive every day. That is how I measure success in my job. Sharing my passion for radio with the students that work and volunteer at WOLF Radio. Investing in them and teaching them to create. The students are regularly winning national and international awards, now more than ever. Just this year we were recognized as the 2022 Abraham and Borst Best Overall College Station by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. On top of that we have grown so much. When I started in 2017, there were maybe 20 students working at the station, and now we are regularly working alongside about 60 students at a time.

Of course it has not been an easy path. Every day is a learning experience. I think the hardest part was my first year as Operations Manager. I had managed retail shops before, but this was a whole different beast. I had to learn quickly how to adapt and change my management style because I wasnt just working with employees, these were students. Learning how to make sure I kept that in mind caused a number of hiccups along the way but I think now after 5 years I am getting things figured out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Carrollton Georgia is a smaller town outside of Atlanta, but there is still plenty of things to do, especially if you are interested in nature. The city is ringed in a massive walking trail called the Green Belt that goes past farms, lakes, woods, into town, and even right through the University of West Georgia. You can almost walk or bike or skate just about anywhere in town. With the trail going right through the university, you can also see a really cool variety of trees since it’s an arboretum.

The Square at the center of Carrollton is home to a number of great restaurants, coffee shops, books stores and boutique shops. Stopping at The Corner Cafe is a must for lunch followed by a coffee or tea from Gallery Row. For some evening activities the square is also home to The Amp where you can watch movies or concerts thrown by the community. And of course theres the bars. Alley Cat is definitely one you want to check out with its alternative style, great drinks, and live bands.

We now have 2 brewerys in town as well, Local Ties on the square and, my favorite, Printer’s Ale just a little outside of town. Printers has a huge outdoor area to sit and enjoy the drinks, often having events like live bands, trivia, bingo, or other festivities. Theres always something going on. They even have their own walking trail so you can enjoy a nature walk while you drink.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh man, I think I can narrow it down to 5 or 6 people? You always have to recognize your parents, my mom and step-dad especially, since they literally MADE me go to college. I was working construction when my mom called to tell me that she had applied for me to attend the University of West Georgia and that I was accepted and classes started in a month. I had very little time to prepare. My step-dad too, made sure I finished (even if it did take me 8 years). He kept pushing me to never give up.

My dad was a big influence on where I am as well because he always encouraged me to do what made me happy, especially the more creative side. He taught me life wasn’t all about money. He encouraged me to try out different things, and because of him, and the random stranger who called me when I was working at Blockbuster and said I had a voice for radio, I completely changed my path halfway through college.

But I really owe my success to Dr. Brad Yates and Shawn Isaacs, founders of WOLF Radio. As a student they both showed me this wonderful world that is radio and gave me so many opportunities to experience it and grow in it. Thanks to them here I am 10 years later running the radio station that gave me my start and hopefully getting to be that inspiration to the next genereation of students just like they were to me.

Website: thewolfuwg.com

Instagram: @thewolfuwg

Twitter: @thewolfuwg

Youtube: @thewolfuwg

Image Credits
Logo Credit to WOLF Radio