Publisher: WBGU

WBGU-TV is more than a Television Station! Since 1964, we've been part of the communities we serve; working with residents to make this area a better place in which to live and work. About 4,000 members think of us as a "community asset" and have come to realize that we are truly a "lifelong learning resource." One of the main differences between WBGU-TV and other commercial stations is our Educational Workshops offered throughout our broadcast area. Another service available at The Tucker Center for Telecommunications is Business Teleconferences and Video Production services. For WBGU-TV to serve its viewers, we must be a "mirror" reflecting accurately the full diversity of the population. Differences in age, race, gender, religion, workplace, ethnic origin, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status are recognized, appreciated and served through the various productions of WBGU and PBS. To truly serve, WBGU has reached out into your community and has strived to make programming and other services part of an effort to enhance your life! With WBGU programming and services: youngsters learn to treat one another fairly, students discover the wonders of science, and adults find help with hobbies. In addition, everyone learns about their community and the worldwide events that effect us all. WBGU's local programs and documentaries are designed to broaden knowledge and meet the specific needs of viewers. We constantly seek viewers' ideas about local issues in their communities. So with your input we can provide the broadcasting and other programming interests to you. We hope you will call, write or email us with your ideas and concerns. The station's Television Learning Services department has continued to provide instructional programming to classes on the Bowling Green State University campus. The programs are drawn from a library, which has thousands of titles, covering subjects from astronomy to zoology and more. Television Learning Services operates the BGSU Digital Video Streaming Service (DVSS) and streams video programming to: all BGSU classroom buildings, the Jerome Library, all residence hall rooms, all computers on the campus network as well as the BGSU Firelands College campus in Huron, Ohio. In addition, Television Learning Services programs the University Access cable channel that serves the city of Bowling Green and the surrounding communities. The Television Learning Services offices in Olscamp Hall use communications technology to improve learning in the distance learning classrooms. The facilities feature electronic classrooms that can be used for teleconferencing, presentations, and other forms of interactive instruction. WBGU staff has been involved inteaching instructors about the use of the equipment and has offered other forms of engineering and technical assistance. WBGU-TV's HISTORY: WBGU-TV signed on the air on Monday, Feb. 10, 1964. Since then, WBGU has grown from a small studio in South Hall on the Bowling Green State University campus to a thriving "teleplex" ready to meet the technological challenges of the communications industry in the 21st century. When it first went on the air, WBGU only broadcast for a couple of hours in the late afternoon and early evening. Now the station has a full 24-hour programming day, with a schedule packed with programs that entertain, educate and inform. But along with a program schedule that is seen everyday by thousands of viewers, WBGU offers much more to the communities its 1 million watt signal reaches. WBGU offers educational services to help young people and lifelong learners discover and explore new ideas; production facilities used by area businesses for teleconferences and seminars, and a host of outreach activities dealing with issues like illiteracy, drug abuse and the environment. WBGU-TV is much more than just a television station. It's a community asset. TUCKER CENTER FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS: On Friday, May 6 1994, The Bowling Green State University Board of Trustees named the building that houses the University's public television station "The Tucker Telecommunications Center" after Margaret and Dr. Duane Tucker. The Tuckers were instrumental in establishing WBGU-TV and The Northwest Ohio Educational Technology Foundation, the station's affiliate operation, which serves elementary and secondary schools throughout the area. A formal dedication ceremony took place on Saturday, October 8, 1994. Tucker began his career at Bowling Green in 1959 as the first head of the radio/TV/film department and instituted the University's closed-circuit instructional television system in 1963. In 1964, in association with Vice President Dr. Kenneth McFall, Tucker initiated WBGU-TV, which quickly established itself as one of the country's most respected educational television operations. The progression of WBGU-TV from a 10,000-watt, black and white station to a one-million-watt, color, stereo operation happened under Tucker's leadership of more than 25 years. The station now serves 19 northwest and west central Ohio counties, instructional cable channels, the Firelands College Campus in Huron and offers teleconferencing capabilities to area businesses. Channel 27 has produced numerous programs which have gained international play and accolades. In addition to his accomplishments on behalf of WBGU-TV, Tucker was instrumental in the planning and design of the Ohio Educational Broadcasting Network and has served as president of the Ohio Educational Television Affiliates. Margaret Tucker also significantly contributed to the accomplishments of WBGU-TV. She served as director of the Northwest Ohio Educational Technology Foundation and built the service from one that served a few area schools to one which serves some 140 school systems and approximately 150,000 students with educational television programs, a tape library, and computer/ allied technology services training. She served on the All Ohio School Board and received numerous awards including the Ohio Educational Broadcasting Commissioners' Award and awards from the Central Educational Network for News 6, a news program put on by area sixth graders, and for her series Knowing About Growing. The Tucker Telecommunications Center is located at 245 Troup Street on the southern edge of the Bowling Green State University campus.