Ted Matko retired April 18 after 43 years as Director of Technical and Media Services.
Courtesy | Hillsdale Charger Athletics
After 43 years of filming commencements, sporting events, and Centers for Constructive Alternatives, Director of Technical and Media Services Ted Matko retired April 18.
“For those of us fortunate enough to have worked with him, Ted provided not just technical guidance but a model of professional integrity and personal character,” Jerry Wayne “J.W.” Newson, a former coworker of Matko, said.
Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn said Matko often impressed visitors with his abilities.
“Many times when radio people running national shows have visited, the technical people would mention that Ted is extremely competent,” Arnn said. “He knows everything about his work. I think many of them wanted to hire him away. It is a blessing that he stayed.”
Since Matko started working for the Dow Center and CCA office in 1982, the world — and the college — have seen many technological developments.
“For the CCAs, it was only audio recording at that time, so my office consisted of two audio cassette recorders, two real recorders, and a video VHS camcorder,” Matko said.
Newson said the way Matko embraced change over the years is what has allowed him to do great things.
“What makes Ted Matko truly exceptional is his perpetual willingness to evolve. Throughout his illustrious 40 plus year dedication to Hillsdale College, he has consistently embraced new technologies and methodologies, constantly refining his skills and expanding his capabilities,” Newson said.
Before classrooms had electronic devices permanently set up for the efficiency of teaching, Matko and a few students put together a delivery service at the bottom of Kresge, an old classroom building that was located behind Central Hall, for professors in need of electronic devices.
“Over the years, the office slowly grew and I started an audiovisual delivery service that would take overhead projectors and VHS recorders to the classrooms for the professors,” Matko said. “We operated out of a small room at the bottom of Kresge.”
As the college’s electronics became more advanced, Matko traveled to 22 cities to record events and promote the college.
“I traveled around the country as we did about 22 cities with the NLS programs and the Churchill dinner in Washington, D.C.,” Matko said. “As the crowds got larger, I brought in an outside staging company called Show Ready Technologies to help with set up and the lighting while we provided all the video recording and the sound gear.”
With new technology available on campus, Matko requested to have a control room built in Plaster Auditorium that would allow him to record from anywhere on campus.
“We put fiber all over campus connected back to the control room so we could record events from the Dow Center, classroom buildings, the athletic facilities, the library, the student center, and Dr. Arnn’s office,” Matko said.
According to Newson, Matko’s decision to connect the campus with fiber optic cables ended up serving the college on a scale far larger than Matko had intended.
“During the darkest days of the COVID-19 era, Ted’s insight and technical foresight led to Hillsdale College becoming one of only two institutions worldwide to successfully hold an in-person commencement event,” Newson said. “With characteristic vision, Ted had the entire campus laid with fiber optic cable to ensure seamless connectivity years before this event occurred.”
Newson said Matko showed great resilience and unwavering commitment to his duties through events like COVID, losing his wife, and fighting cancer.
“In moments of such personal tragedy, one’s true character is revealed, and Ted’s revealed a man of exceptional fortitude and grace,” Newson said. “Is Ted stubborn? Absolutely. But as I’ve learned throughout my career, all the great ones are. This quality — this unwavering commitment to his vision and standards — is precisely what has enabled him to build systems and solutions that stand the test of time.”
Matko said professionalism is important in any job and has been a highlight.
“I’ve always enjoyed the process of getting things organized and set up, making things look as professional as possible,” Matko said.
During his time recording CCAs and commencements, Matko has met many famous people who have tested his ability to stay professional. Matko’s favorite actor and comedian, as well as the voice of Buzz Lightyear, Tim Allen gave a commencement speech May 8, 2021.
“That’s what it means to be in this position,” Matko said. “Regardless of who the speaker is, you don’t get starstruck.”
Even though Matko met Allen with professionalism, he could not resist asking Allen to sign one of his Buzz Lightyear collectibles. Matko has more than 200 Buzz Lightyear figures that have recently been relocated from being displayed in his office on campus to his home. Matko said he plans to keep collecting in his retirement.
“Eventually I will display them,” Matko said. “I will keep looking, I’m not one to go on the internet and look for more, but when I go to Meijer or Walmart, I’ll walk down the toy aisle and see.”
Matko said he plans to spend his retirement resting from the surgery he had for his cancer.
“My plans are to get my strength back, and I will figure the rest out as we go,” Matko said.
Newson said he believes the technological growth Hillsdale will experience in the upcoming years will be due to Matko’s work and innovation.
“His influence extends far beyond the cables he ran or the systems he designed, touching the careers and lives of countless individuals who carry forward the lessons he imparted,” Newson said. “In this way, his legacy continues to grow and evolve, much like the technology he has mastered throughout his extraordinary career.”
