KCRG-TV9 aired a story, “Cornell College alum to receive Special Merit Grammy,” on Jan. 31.
Cornell College graduate and Iowa native Leo Beranek ’36, widely considered the pioneer of modern acoustic technology, received the 2025 Technical Grammy Award on Feb. 1.
His posthumous award was part of the Special Merit Awards ceremony honoring music industry legends one night prior to the 67th Grammy Awards. The Technical Grammy is given to those who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field. Others honored at the ceremony included Prince, Taj Mahal, The Clash, and Frankie Valli.
KCRG interviewed Professor of Computer Science Leon Tabak and Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Nakielski for the story. Tabak noted Beranek’s technical contributions.
“They bought some very early computers at the company he founded, the company was initially focused on acoustical engineering, but they saw the future in computers,” Tabak told KCRG.
Nakielski discussed how Beranek’s legacy and skills are still used today.
“A lot of the stuff we were studying last year to try to build the studio that’s about 20 feet away, were results of his findings and innovations and pioneering,” Nakielski told KCRG.
Beranek grew up in Solon and Mount Vernon, Iowa, graduating from Cornell College in 1936. He was a renowned acoustician, inventor, professor, and entrepreneur whose expertise laid the foundation for modern acoustical engineering, particularly in noise control and concert hall acoustics.
He died in 2016 at age 102. In its obituary, the New York Times called Beranek “a sought-after acoustics genius.”