As a part of their expanded broadcasting offerings, in 1930 KOAC also started presenting programs planned for in-school use in classrooms throughout the state. Known as KOAC’s “School of the Air,” the program broadcast lessons of general interest to students in an attempt to make “Radio the Fourth R in Education.” Galvanized steel thunderclaps and coconut horse hooves provided sound effects to bring the subject matter to life and hold interest though programming such as Kenneth Munford’s “Hero Tales from Oregon History,” Maud Garnett’s “Let’s Sing, America” program, and the afternoon storytelling of Bob Roberts and John MacDonald during “Children’s Theatre.”
A dramatization by members of the KOAC Radio Guild on the "Magic Casement" series. The play is "Trailer Travels." Circa 1945.
In 1957, KOAC again branched out. This time into the burgeoning field of television broadcast. From their studios in the basement of Gill Coliseum, KOAC-TV broadcast shows to viewers throughout the state. Popular programming included, “Oregon at Work” and “Choo Choo Charlie,” an interactive program which encouraged its young viewers to participate in their home with coloring books distributed by the network.
Filming a musical broadcast for KOAC TV.
The Oregon State System of Higher Education decided in 1981 to divest itself of its radio and television stations, including both KOAC-AM and KOAC-TV. At that time, operations were moved to Portland, and the Oregon Public Broadcasting Corporation (OPB) was formed.
OSU Spanish instructor Rose Esperanza on a Spanish language cooking show on television in Salem, ca 1978.
KOAC History in ScholarsArchive@OSU
The Remembered Years, 1972
Listen to KOAC
Cruizer’s Song, 1939
Alouette, 1939
George W.—The Dean, 1939
