This week, there were some interesting developments on the college radio front. The FCC finally closed the books on the contested future of the former Vanderbilt University FM radio station WRVU. Despite protests by supporters of the FM station, the license was assigned to Nashville Public Radio this week. For nearly three years, the station has been airing classical music programming, while student DJs carry on the tradition of WRVU online.
And, in college radio history news, a colleague at KFJC (where I’m also a volunteer and DJ), just unearthed a 20-year-old press release, which chronicles the station’s pioneering live remote broadcast from SXSW in Austin, Texas way back in 1994. The 3-day live broadcast began on March 17, 1994, with KFJC (based at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA) airing a Rounder Records showcase from La Zona Rosa. According to the press release, ” This is the first time that anything like this has been done, and from a non-commercial college radio station at that.” At least twenty other radio stations in the United States and Canada (including some now take part in NPR’s SXSW events) tapped into KFJC’s remote broadcast, airing music and interviews from SXSW either live or via tape delay.
If you know of other college radio history tidbits, please send them along. I’d also be interested to hear about other student-run radio stations that may have done early live remote broadcasts.
In other college radio news:
Henderson State University Surrenders its Class D Radio License, Sticks with LPFM
The week the FCC officially cancelled the license and deleted the call letters for Henderson State University’s class D radio station KSWH 91.1 FM. This action came as a result of Henderson State surrendering the license in a letter (PDF) dated March 10, 2014. Interestingly, the school also holds a low power FM license with the call letters KSWH-LP. A recent minor change was granted with the FCC for KSWH-LP, with plans for it to move to 102.5 FM. The student radio station in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, known as the Pulse, has had to move frequencies numerous times over the years.
Defunct Student Radio Station Revived at Farmingdale State College
Student radio has returned to Farmingdale State College on Long Island, New York. Long Island Press reports that the recently launched streaming station Ram Nation Radio replaces a defunct terrestrial station. According to the Long Island Press, “The station’s previous incarnation, WRAM, had broadcast on 89.3 FM before it went off the air in 2011, following a string of equipment problems and waning participation from students. Now, Ram Nation Radio is back, featuring two dozen different shows—from electronica to metal, sports talk to music history.” I can’t find too much about the history of WRAM, but it appears to have been an unlicensed campus station, which was formerly known as WFNY.
KXSC Festival Coming to USC Campus March 29
A preview post by Neon Tommy gives all the details about a festival coming to University of Southern California (USC), hosted by student radio station KXSC. Numerous bands will perform at KXSC Fest on March 29.
Northbrook College Granted Temporary Radio License
UK-based Northbrook College launched Northbrook Student Radio, thanks a grant from the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs. The station received a temporary license to air on 87.7 FM for two weeks, which ended on March 17. According to the Worthing Herald, “…the project had been well-received by the students and the station will go exclusively online once the broadcast licence ends…” Northbrook Student Radio can now be heard online.
Live Music and Special Programming for WIDR Week
Western Michigan University station WIDR is coming to the end of its annual WIDR Week. Numerous local music events have been taking place around Kalamazoo, Michigan and over the air, with proceeds benefiting the college radio station. Some of the happenings included a Monday night marathon of live performances, a movie night, an acoustic/poetry night, and band showcases this weekend.
WIDR Week graphic from WIDR.
KWUR Week
This week, student-run Washington University radio station KWUR held a series of concerts, which conclude tonight.
More Student Radio Awards
Stations that won awards at the recent IBS conference are still generating some press, including KLPR at University of Nebraska at Kearney and North Central College station WONC. The Antelope profiled some of the winners from the KLPR and the Chicago Tribune gave props to WONC winners. Additionally, a competition run by the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters (IASB) also recognized student broadcasters, with Goshen College taking home numerous awards, including Radio School of the Year. And, finally, the Society for Professional Journalists bestowed some regional radio awards onto several college radio stations, including KJHK at University of Kansas.
Submissions Now Being Accepted for CBI Student Production Awards
Student broadcasters can now submit entries to College Broadcasters Inc.’s 13th Annual Student Production Awards. The deadline is May 9th and winners will be announced at CBI’s National Student Electronic Media Convention in Seattle this October. Out of more than 700 entries submitted last year, 94 were named finalists or winners.
Broadcast Celebrates 51st Anniversary of Radio at Rockford College
Rockford College Radio‘s Old School Radio Show did a special episode in honor of the 51st anniversary of the station’s predecessor, carrier current station WRCR. The feature included music from 1963 and “the voices of 12” former DJs at the Rockford University station.
Fort Lewis College’s radio station KDUR Celebrates 40th Anniversary
KDUR in Durango, Colorado is gearing up for its impending 40th anniversary and began the celebrations with a party last week. According to the Durango Herald, the Fort Lewis College radio station began as KFLC in 1974, with “student disc jockeys …broadcasting into the cafeteria with two speakers.” After obtaining its FCC license, KDUR launched in May, 1975.
LPFM News this Week
On March 14, the LPFM application for the Radio Club at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington was dismissed. Although there weren’t any granted college LPFM applications this week, a few college groups amended their applications. Today, Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) and University of Washington, Bothell (Bothell, WA) amended their applications.
We cover the culture of college radio every Friday in our College Radio Survivor feature. If you have college radio news to share, please drop us a note at EDITORS at RADIOSURVIVOR dot COM.
