Jim Phillippe came to Butler University in Indianapolis after his first broadcasting work at WSAZ, Charlestown, West Virginia. He founded Butler’s drama department and served as its chairman from 1946 to 1964. During this time he did part-time work with WIRE and WFBM-TV (later WRTV). In 1965 he became chairman of Butler’s department of radio and television and manager of WAJC Radio, a position he held until 1986. Many graduates of the Butler program led by Phillippe have gone on to successful broadcast careers. He served as a president of the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.