Mike Laponis He’s been known as Mike Wilson, Jay Michaels, Dave Christopher and sometimes even Mike Raphone, but around the Arts and Communications Building at the University of La Verne, he’s simply known as Mike Laponis, professor of communications. The many other aliases come from his days of working in radio. Laponis says he was interested in the fields of radio, television and performing from an early age. As a child he listened to the radio and “watched a fair amount of television as kids often do.” He became interested in how it was put together and developed an aptitude for technology. His first job in the field had been in the audio visual lab in the basement of Chaffey High School where he would record and produce multi-media projects for history teachers and for the school district. He would also videotape events like school performances. Working with people who were working in broadcasting at the time, Laponis says he soon found himself in an environment where he had access to studios to practice in and make audition tapes. While attending college, Laponis worked in radio part time. Soon enough he was working in broadcasting full time. “The radio thing seemed like there was a real easy progression,” says Laponis, who started out in the engineering department, and evolved into being on the air part time then full time, then moving on to programming and management positions. Although he never shows it in his classes, Laponis claims to be a shy man. “It’s easier to be outgoing on the radio because no one is looking back at you,” he says. As for his classes, he says, “That doesn’t mean I’m acting when I’m trying to be outgoing.” As a side job to his daytime radio shift, Laponis and a friend owned and operated a mobile music service in the “height of the disco era,” playing music for weddings, bar mitzvahs, school reunions, and office Christmas parties. “You name it, we pretty much did it.” Having been in radio for quite some time, Laponis was looking for new experiences. So when the opportunity to teach and work as operations manager came along, he took a chance. At that point Laponis had worked his way up in radio and felt he wasn’t learning much anymore. “What’s better for that than a University setting?” he asked himself. As a part time teacher, Laponis had the opportunity to finish his degree. Because of his experience in radio, he chose to concentrate on video production. At that time, the University also had a master’s program for communications, a degree he finished once he was teaching full time. Laponis was right about encountering new opportunities at ULV. Since he started he has helped set up LVTV, developed KULV to what it is today and also helped plan, design, and build the facilities when the department moved into their new studios in the ACB. He says all the while he was learning new things from these opportunities. Laponis says he only planned to teach for three to five years before moving on to whatever might be next, but has not been able to tear himself away. He says it is the people within the department who make him want to stay. “Here all the students I’ve had, of course they start out as students, but they evolve into friends,” Laponis says. “Those friendships are priceless. I’ve made more friends in this environment than in any other.” Pictures plastered on the walls of his office are the perfect example of the friendships made and the people he has kept in contact with. “Friendships are pretty incredible here,” he says. “If I ever did leave, that’s what I’d miss the most.” Laponis enjoys the communications department not only for the people, but also because of the experience that is offered to the students. “We have a great program here - a wonderful blend of both theory and practical applications,” he says. Laponis says that as a result of the hands-on experience within the department students leave with great demo reels, portfolios and excellent resumes. “So when you leave here it’s almost as if you’ve had your first job, or two, or three or four,” Laponis says. “You’ve really worked in the industry; you’ve actually done it.” “People work very hard to make it happen,” Laponis says of the productions, broadcasts, and publications put out by the students – “especially for students who really apply themselves. They have a lot to offer when they leave here. They’ve done a lot. There’s a strong work ethic in the department. People have gone on to prestigious jobs. I’m so proud of all those people. Seeing students move into the broadcast industry and live out their passion is quite rewarding.” Dedicated to the job, Laponis can be found in his office late at night, working and listening to the students on KULV. Such commitment doesn’t leave much time for other things, but he enjoys camping, hiking and vegetable gardening. His other hobbies are somewhat industry related and include making videos, short wave listening, and amateur radio (ham radio). About his experience, he says, “They’ve been careers, but in some ways they’ve been... I don’t know if hobbies is the right word because it’s more than that. The thing that’s great about the broadcast industry is there are so many neat things about it and it’s your job.” RETURN TO FACULTY LIST mailto:laponism@ulv.edu?subject=HELLOHome.htmlshapeimage_1_link_1
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