Patrick Boots: The anchor of the MXCC digital media program (April 10th, 2022)

At Middlesex Community College, there are numerous clubs on campus. From Art Club to Knitting and Crochet club, there is something for everyone.

One of the most popular clubs is the Radio-Podcast club, headed up by Patrick Boots. A student worker, his drive and ambition have been instrumental in the growth and development of the Center for New Media at the college. Frequently helping out with events at MXCC, he is someone whom many are familiar with.

He was brought up in a very musical-based house, something that gave him his initial love for radio. He marveled at “...the mystery of how radio [worked] [from] a very young age.”

Boots went to Haddam-Killingworth high school, where he would nurture his talents. He would be an active participant in their broadcast communications program, where he would learn skills crucial for television production.

Boots “...wanted a challenge[,] and learning more about radio seemed like a good way to start.”

After high school, Boots would start up a radio station, Hacker Airwaves FM 87.7.

The type of content the station produces ranges from independent public programming to student-produced content. Boots had issues with getting licensing from the FCC to broadcast over the air, but it eventually got resolved.

He would start to attend Middlesex Community College, a decision that would prove very beneficial for him. There, he was able to start learning more about radio production as well as new media. He thinks that “...the facilities in [MXCC’s] Center for New Media are second to none, and working with our facility and [Dr.] CEO [Steve] Minkler [has] been a great support.”

Richard Lenoce, who is a longtime professor at the college and has known Boots for eight months, said that the college has, “...a very active podcast club that contributes to extracurricular activities in the program.” He added that without him, “we’d probably not have as vibrant a…podcast club.”

The club holds meetings weekly, where upcoming activities are discussed and plans for productions are made. Then, members are given the privilege to reserve time in the high-tech audio studios as well as equipment to produce shows and podcasts of their own.

As president, Boots has been an instrumental piece in the growth of the club.

His contributions, along with many others, have been a huge factor in the success of the club.

Taylor Doyle, who is an active member, talked about her first experience with him, saying, “Patrick and I met when he walked into a class I was taking in Chapman Hall. At the time, I had expressed interest in the Radio [and] Podcast Club, unaware that he was the president. That night after class[,] he gave me a brief tour of the Media Center studios and encouraged me to attend club meetings. Since then, I have joined [the] Radio-Podcast club where I interact with him weekly, have been tutored in audio production equipment by him[,] and communicate with him on a semi[-]regular basis via [D]iscord.”

She also praised Boots’ ability to run the club, saying that she believes that if he wasn’t running the club, “...things would be different. He is consistently doing his best to keep the club on track, stay organized, and is always quick to show his enthusiasm by sharing new ideas, opportunities, and encouragement with all club members.”

With all of the success that the club has garnered in its short time, there have also been some obstacles. The club had to be incorporated with the MXCC student senate at the beginning. However, that obstacle was overcome in short order.

There is, without a doubt, a ton of potential with the Radio-Podcast club. Boots hopes to build on this by expanding equipment and rebuilding a file server. His goal for the club is to cement it as a fixture on campus, like some of the other long-standing groups and also like those at other colleges.

As for his radio career, his, “...hope is to stay working with noncommercial radio, and maybe even continue to work at Middlesex. There is a real sense of community in the world of college radio and [he’d] like to be a part of that as long as [he] can.”

There is no doubt that as long as he keeps working towards his goals, he will eventually get there, as he has the enthusiasm that is so desperately needed in this business.