Microflex Wireless Desktop Base Transmitters and Gooseneck Cardioid Microphones Improve Meeting Environment in University’s Weyerhaeuser Hall
Niles, Ill., March 20, 2017—Macalester College, a private undergraduate liberal arts college in St. Paul, Minnesota, founded in 1874, announced it has updated its Weyerhaeuser Hall boardroom with Shure Microflex Wireless Desktop Base Transmitters (Model MXW8) and Gooseneck Cardioid Microphones (Model MXW415LP/C). The university, which emphasizes academic excellence in the context of internationalism, culturalism, and service to society, decided to revamp the dated administration building’s AV system to better support an array of high-importance meetings, including board of trustees, alumni board, reunion committee planning, and President’s Council gatherings.
Weyerhaeuser Hall was originally constructed in the 1920s as a library, with little consideration given to acoustic integrity. This created an ongoing challenge for meeting participants and the Media Services support staff. With this challenge top-of-mind, the Macalester College team turned to Henry Gil of Alpha Video & Audio, who was tasked with finding a cost-effective, reliable, flexible, and aesthetically-pleasing wireless microphone system capable of functioning flawlessly in a crowded RF space.
“While Weyerhaeuser Hall is a time-honored building and a reminder of Macalester College’s rich heritage, it was absolutely critical to find an AV solution that was not only portable and wireless, but also meshed well with the building’s aesthetic appeal,” said Mark Eggert, media services technician at Macalester College. “Overall, we couldn’t be more pleased with the system provided by Shure. It’s easy to use, works very well for our specific needs, and can withstand some of the previous AV clutter already in place.”
Before the new Shure Microflex Wireless equipment, meeting participants in Weyerhaeuser Hall were required to share eight handheld wireless microphones among a maximum group of 32 participants, which wasn’t conducive for productive meetings. Given the nature of the meetings taking place, participants needed the ability to quickly make comments to the group or to those around them, which required a microphone system that enabled these interjections and featured a mute mechanism. Knowing Shure’s Microflex Wireless Desktop Base Receivers with 15” Gooseneck Cardioid Microphones would be an ideal solution to the project, Alpha Video recommended 15 of the base transmitters and microphones.
“The Shure Microflex Wireless system was a perfect solution to the University’s particular challenges. Without cabling to worry about, we were able to configure the system to match the unique needs of our room setup and meeting style,” said Henry Gil. “We’ve also found the system’s programmability, computer interface, and ease of setup as key contributors to our success using Shure’s Microflex Wireless system.”
To learn more about Macalester College, visit www.macalester.edu. For more information about Shure, go to www.shure.com.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
