Turntable and vinyl records atop cabinet in college radio station KXUA's on-air studio. Photo: J. Waits

College Radio Watch: Happy College Radio Day!

By Jennifer Waits on November 4, 2016 in College Radio, College Radio Survivor

Happy College Radio Day, everyone! Today marks the 6th edition of this annual celebration of college radio. Over the years the event has expanded to include college radio stations from all over the world, which means that today’s festivities began at midnight local time in far-flung locales. A special streaming World College Radio Day Global Marathon, featuring a different station every hour kicked off at midnight in Finland (I tuned in at 3pm Pacific time on Thursday). Limu Radio from Lahti University of Applied Sciences in Lahti, Finland was featured for the first hour of the internet broadcast.

Other stations in the 24-hour World College Radio Day broadcast include college radio stations from Greece, Philippines, the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, Ghana, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, France, as well as another station from Finland. The marathon will conclude with an hour-long program from William Paterson University station WPSC starting at 5pm Eastern time today.

Overall, more than 400 college radio stations are participating in College Radio Day this year, including more than 86 stations from outside of the United States (representing 19 countries).

Throughout today, numerous college radio stations have specific programming and events planned in order to mark College Radio Day. The College Radio Day website includes a run-down of what some stations have planned as well as a master list of participating United States college radio stations by state. I’m particularly pleased to see that some college radio stations are collaborating with other college radio stations for special events both on and off-air.

Although stations participate in College Radio Day in any way that they choose, they have the option of airing special programming created by College Radio Day to mark the occasion. For 2016, that includes promos, sweepers, the 1-hour simulcast “Igniting the Soul of College Radio,” and a 15-minute “White House Report,” which was produced following a College Radio Day delegation’s visit to the White House on October 27.

The College Radio Foundation, which oversees College Radio Day, has also embarked on a new project: Friends of College Radio. Supporters can join as members, with donations going to the College Radio Fund. Grants and scholarships from this fund will then be dispersed to college radio stations in need. The first College Radio Foundation grants will be announced today.

For me, my obsession with college radio takes place 365 days a year, so it’s a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to make today extra special. One thing that I’m already doing today is tuning in to some college radio stations that I’ve never heard before. There are so many to choose from and it’s always fascinating discovering new stations. One place to try that easily is through Soundtap’s map of stations from all over the United States.

Is your college radio station doing something special today in honor of College Radio Day? Let us know in the comments.