Longtime broadcaster, educator Bob Gordon named chair of MTSU’s Department of Media Arts

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — As the new chair of the Department of Media Arts at Middle Tennessee State University, Bob Gordon brings nearly 20 years of teaching experience and almost five decades of television news and broadcast experience to the role — along with a passion to provide students with real-world, hands-on learning opportunities.

Gordon, who began teaching at MTSU in 2007, officially stepped into the role in September after serving as the department’s interim chair, all the while continuing in his well-known role to students, faculty and staff overseeing the university’s beloved $2 million mobile production lab, fondly known as “The Truck.”

Beverly Keel, dean, College of Media and Entertainment — Beverly Keel

“I am delighted Bob agreed to accept the position as chair of the Media Arts Department,” said Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment dean Beverly Keel. “I am so excited to see what the department will do under his guidance. Bob walks into the office each morning energized and excited as he works to improve the education and experience that we provide our students. I can’t wait to see what he does next.”

In his nearly 20 years at the university, he has made it his mission to make sure his students get hands-on experiences and skills that will give them a competitive advantage in the job market by managing, producing and directing events for ESPN+, awards shows and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. It’s a mission that Gordon plans to continue in his new role.

“My goal for the Department of Media Arts is that we respond positively to the constant change and growth of our industries and to provide students the most realistic, practical and productive education for an immediately successful career upon graduation,” he said.

Bob Gordon, Middle Tennessee State University media arts professor, left, directs MTSU students and alumni as producer of the MTSU red-carpet broadcast for “The Judds: Love is Alive – The Final Concert” event on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at the Murphy Center on campus. (MTSU photo by James Cessna and Cat Curtis Murphy) — Robert “Bob” Gordon Jr., Middle Tennessee State University media arts chair, left, directs MTSU students and alumni as producer of the MTSU red-carpet broadcast for “The Judds: Love is Alive – The Final Concert” event on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at the Murphy Center on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU file photo)

Gordon said this academic year, students will produce a documentary about WSM Radio’s 100^th anniversary, while live production students are scheduled to do more than 30 multi-camera shoots, including MTSU sports on ESPN+, the CMA Red Carpet special for ABC affiliates and the Mid-South Regional Emmy Awards early next year. He also noted that animation assistant professor Paul Griswold recently received a $10,000 grant for his project “The Cosmos Within.”

“This list could be much longer, but the faculty and students from Media Arts continue to be highly prolific and productive,” he said. “I am grateful to be associated with them.”

While students will always be a focus of Gordon’s work, he also wants to ensure the department’s faculty are set up for success in the classroom.

“My desire as chair is to help the faculty have what they need to teach effectively and to grow professionally,” he explained. “Equally important is my desire to offer every student the opportunity to find their path and to succeed beyond their expectations.”

MTSU Department of Media Arts professor Robert "Bob" Gordon Jr. stands by the College of Media and Entertainment's $1.7 million Mobile Production Lab, aka "The Truck," outside the Boutwell Dramatic Arts Auditorium as his students work inside Tucker Theatre to record the MTSU Dance Theatre's 2020 Fall Dance Concert for broadcast Saturday, Nov. 21. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt) — Middle Tennessee State University Department of Media Arts Chair Robert “Bob” Gordon Jr. stands by the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment’s $1.7 million Mobile Production Lab, aka “The Truck,” outside the Boutwell Dramatic Arts Auditorium on campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as his students work inside Tucker Theatre to record the MTSU Dance Theatre’s Fall Dance Concert for broadcast. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

After serving as interim chair, Gordon said he is thankful to Keel and other university administrators for giving him the opportunity to serve.

“I look at this role as one of service, and I hope to continue to earn everyone’s trust as I strive to daily provide them with effective leadership. I look forward to every day I come to work,” he said.

MTSU’s Department of Media Arts is set to launch its Master of Fine Arts in television and film next August.

About Bob Gordon

Before beginning his teaching career nearly two decades ago, Gordon followed in his father’s footsteps and started a 48-year television career, producing and directing news, talk and sporting events at stations in Oklahoma and Michigan before coming to Nashville, where he worked as an executive producer for WNGE Channel 2 and then operations manager at WTVF-TV NewsChannel 5.

Since 1987, Gordon has served as vice president of Susan Hackney Associates, production operations manager for Jim Owens and Associates, and president of Gordon Video Group. He has produced entertainment specials, featuring Amy Grant, the Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Barbara Mandrell and more for Cinemax, PBS, CMT, TNN, Time Warner and Gaylord Syndicom.

Gordon also serves as the executive producer for Media Arts Productions, MTSU’s television production company and faculty advisor for Blue Raider Student Television, MTSU’s countywide cable channel. He has also received the Outstanding Experiential Learning Faculty Award three times and the President’s Silver Column Award. Most recently, he was awarded the Conference USA Faculty Achievement Award this past spring.

MTSU Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, left, University Provost Mark Byrnes and associate professor Bob Gordon chat with students working at this year’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. They are in MTSU’s almost $2 million Mobile Production Lab, known affectionally as “The Truck,” will be used to record 25 performances at this year’s four-day event. (MTSU Photo by James Cessna) — MTSU Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel, left, University Provost Mark Byrnes and Department of Media Art Chair Bob Gordon chat with students working at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in 2023. They are in MTSU’s almost $2 million Mobile Production Lab, known affectionately as “The Truck,” used to record 25 performances at the four-day event. (MTSU file photo by James Cessna)

At the beginning of each semester, he introduces himself to students by saying, “I’m not here to teach you the way it was or how it should be. I am here to teach you how it is and prepare you to go and make things better.”

Gordon earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Cincinnati.

To learn more about MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment, visit https://media.mtsu.edu/. To learn more about MTSU’s Department of Media Arts, visit https://mediaarts.mtsu.edu/.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)