Associate Professor, Donald Connelly and the Department of Communication celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the radio station, 95.3 WWCU FM on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28 at Western Carolina University.
In the fall of 1947, three students, Phillip Hollyfield, John Ray and Frank Murray, along with Dean W.B. Harrill and Dr. Carl D. KIllian founded the radio station with a budget of $25.
With the mark of 75 years also comes an upgrade for the studio. The updates include an entirely digital broadcast from the control room to the transmitter.
There are still more plans in place to develop the radio station and its impact.
“With the technology in place, [the goal is to] develop new programming, including what is created by our journalism students,” said Connelly. “Also, we need to further develop our podcasting experiences and the station can serve as a launching pad for those.”
The station is not solely for the entertainment and skill development of college students. The broadcast covers an audience of nearly 160,000 people and provides entertainment, sports and public service announcements.
The long-lasting standing of the radio station has been made possible by a multitude of people groups and firms. From the lawyers who help navigate the FCC legal guidance and applications to engineers and facility management. The radio station’s growth is a product of true collaboration.
Professor Connelly has been at Western since 2000. He has taught and worked at the radio for 23 years, and recently received the Towering Achievement Award from the university.
This milestone means that the radio is not sitting stagnant in complacency.
“In broadcasting you’re either moving forward or you are moving backward. Staying stationary in the status quo is not an option. It’s like a bell-shaped curve,” said Connelly. “95.3 WWCU has technologically reached the top of a bell-shaped curve. Time to use that high point as a launching point for a new set of goals to achieve.”
These updates create new opportunities for students as well. Connelly is most excited about the impact that the technology high point will have.
“Students will leave Western with the knowledge and skill set to launch a broadcast career in not only any radio station, but in a variety of media,” said Connelly.
Connelly has made many memories with WWCU, however his favorite comes from making the first broadcast on 95.3 WWCU, from the tower site.
“I was asked by the tower crew to sign my name on the very highest point of the tower. I also put a bumper sticker for 95.3 up there,” said Connelly.
For more information about the radio station, follow them on Instagram at @wcuradio or check out their website at https://www.wwcufm.com/.