Forrest "Frosty" Oden credits SDSU and SAE with helping him prepare for a successful television production career, one that has included several Emmy awards and other recognition.
"SAE gave me such a good background; it taught me a great deal," said Oden, 59. "I remember receiving my bid from Brother Lloyd Kitson and quickly realized I was on one of the greatest adventures of my life."
Oden's (CA-TH '73) long broadcast career began at age 11 when he built his own radio station, complete with a wooden tower. His more formal experience continued as a Sacramento radio station DJ during high school; he subsequently acquired a First Class Radio License, the "meal ticket" as they called it in broadcasting at the ripe old age of 16! Brother Oden was a telecommunications major at SDSU, where he was supervisor at KPBS TV.
He worked several other jobs to put himself through college. "Itwasn't always easy juggling school, jobs and the fraternity," he said.
Frosty joined SAE as a junior and found that in addition to a full social calendar, the fraternity offered other valuable life lessons. "I learned about responsibility to myself and school work and the true meaning of fraternity," he said. "The friendships are eternal."
Upon graduation in 1973, Oden went to work as an engineer for Ch. 39-TV, where he played a key role in developing the station's transmitter/system. "This was a great opportunity to launch my career big time."
In 1977, he received a call from a CBS exec, inquiring if he was interested in a position in Hollywood. It wasn't difficult to convince him to relocate. "It was my dream job," he said. "I always wanted to work at CBS." Throughout his 35 years there, he has been involved in a variety of key developments, including the creation of High Definition TV, while on loan to the late CBS Labs. As supervisor (West Coast Operations) of High Definition Digital Post Production, he currently supervises HD activity for all CBS and CW network programs, including syndicated shows. Oden has won national Emmy awards for technical achievement and even found time to produce some unique TV shows and won director and producer kudos as well. "It has been a wonderful career so far," he said.
In addition to his busy CBS responsibilities, Frosty runs his own company (All Radios LLC, http://allradios.net) that sells two-way radios, primarily through the Internet. "I've had a long-time interest in two- way radios and this is my 'playtime business' that is more of an avocation," he noted.
He also enjoys spending time with his family: wife Marlene and two adult sons, Troy and Grant. Frosty is an avid dirt bike rider and four-wheeler and has maintained his proficiency for 40+ years as a licensed multi-rated pilot. "We will frequently fly on short trips for lunch or dinner to interesting places."
While he doesn't see his SAE brothers as often as he would like, Frosty welcomes the chance to get reacquainted at Founder's Day and other occasions. "Every time I meet another bro, the genial warmth is present and a new instant friendship is bonded."
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