George F. Metcalf was one of the men who built, installed, and operated a 500 watt broadcasting station on campus in 1926; six years later, the station became WBAA.

Beginning his electrical engineering career after receiving his BSEE in 1928, Metcalf had the opportunity of breaking new ground in technology and its application. In General Electric's research laboratories, he helped develop the vacuum tube. When appointed to management, Metcalf developed creative pricing for General Electric business. Later, starting with just six engineers, he created a huge aerospace business.

During World War II, he worked with radar installations in the Pacific and, as a member of General Curtis LeMay's staff, headed a radar office during the final weeks of the war. For his work, Metcalf received the Legion of Merit and the Order of British Empire.

Upon discharge from the military, Metcalf returned to direct the GE electronics laboratory then under construction in Electronics Park in Syracuse. In 1962, Metcalf left General Electric to become vice president of engineering for Martin-Marietta. Later he became vice president for professional personnel and remained with the company until 1968.

Metcalf is now involved in encouraging research work at a Portland, Oregon, hospital. An IEEE Fellow, he has devoted much of the last two years to writing a book, Making Waves in the Information and Space Age, which chronicles the changes in electronics, information and communication systems, and aerospace that have occurred in his lifetime.