Michael Leal: Broadcast Management - Communication Instructor

While the radio station was set to the Armed Forces Radio Network, Michael was born in Wurzburg, Germany at the 10^th U.S. Field Army Hospital.

Michael’s family relocated to Oklahoma when he was two years old. At the early age of 5, he began playing ‘disc jockey’ spinning records in his room. When he was in high school, he started his own business – a mobile D.J. for school dances.

Michael began his radio career at the age of 14 as a part-time disc jockey for a top 40 AM radio station in Lawton. While going through college, he worked at KGOU in Norman and KLAW in Lawton.

Attaining his B.A. degree in Journalism and his M.A. degree in Communications from the University of Oklahoma, Michael became the News Director for KSWO Radio in 1985 and a News Reporter for KSWO-TV in Lawton. As a TV reporter for five years, Michael covered crime, military, city government and general assignments. He has been recognized by the Associated Press and United Press International and received awards including outstanding news coverage, best general reporting, spot news reporting and general reporting.

In 1991, Michael accepted a management position as the Program Director for KCCU public radio and as an instructor for Cameron University’s Communication Department in Lawton. His duties at KCCU included overseeing the daily operation of seven radio stations. Lawton, OK (KCCU 89.3 & 102.9), Ardmore, OK (KLCU 90.3), Clinton, OK (KYCU 89.1), Chickasha, OK (KCCU 100.1), Altus, OK (KOCU 90.1), and Wichita Falls, TX (KMCU 88.7). Among his other duties, Michael was responsible for the station’s bi-annual membership drive, on-air promotions, and web page.

As an instructor of the communications department, Michael taught Fundamentals of Speech, Broadcast Announcing, Advance Audio Production and supervised the Audio Lab. He also worked with students who were interested in the radio industry as a career, assisting them with resumes and portfolios as well as on-air and production work.

Away from work, Michael has served as communications director for Arts for All of Lawton/Fort Sill, and member of the German American Club of Lawton. He also served on the board with the Lawton Dog Fanciers Association, a local American Kennel Club and on the board of the International Festival.

Michael lives with his wife Christie in Erie, PA.  He has one daughter, Danielle, attending college in Florida.