Station Spotlight: Colgate University’s WRCU

Last Updated on January 16, 2014 by askcbiorg

Tell  me a little history about your station and where your station is now?
Colgate University’s WRCU transmitted its first broadcast in February of 1951. Over the years, the station has physically moved all over campus until it settled in a state-of-the-art facility—the Blackmore Media Center—in Colgate’s O’Connor campus center in 2009. The station has undergone many transformations in its music focus over the years and currently WRCU is an indie station with extensive specialty programming including jazz shows, comedy hours, and medical talk shows. The station’s programming continues to evolve based on what our DJs are interested in playing and what our listenership wants to hear.

What sets your station apart from other college radio stations?
WRCU is completely student-operated. We have a faculty advisor, Professor Michael Coyle, and a Student Activities advisor, but WRCU’s Board of Directors makes every decision for the station. From managing our operating budget and programming schedule to communicating with our partner WRVO and school administration, WRCU’s Board is committed to keeping our station in the hands of students. Our Board is not paid and does not have a staff so every hour of time we put into WRCU is out of love and dedication to our station.

Why did you choose to work at the radio station?
WRCU coordinates a first-year pre-orientation program for students entering their freshman year at Colgate. I participated in WRCU Pre-O and formed such amazing friendships so quickly, that I remained active in WRCU and rose to Publicity Director this fall. In fall 2014, I’ll be Programming Director. WRCU is my favorite campus activity because I get to work alongside my best friends and help make the station we love the best it can possibly be.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for your station?
To celebrate the last “Colgate Day” (Friday the 13th) of 2013, WRCU ran a day of special programming. For 15 hours, WRCU welcomed Colgate faculty and staff in to cater to a worldwide audience of alumni, family and friends. The lead up to the day required that WRCU’s general manager, Brandon Fiegoli, and I spend countless hours with Colgate administration to prepare for the day. The broadcast was incredible for Colgate, which raised $5.1 million dollars, and WRCU which welcomed alumni DJs including Red Sox announcer and former WRCU sports reporter Joe Castiglione and Packer’s President Mark Murphy onto our airwaves. Colgate Day was an amazing experience for everyone involved and it helped the Board, Brandon and I see potential for future specialty broadcasts.

What’s the best part of college radio? And the hardest part?
The best part of college radio is the atmosphere. We are blessed with an amazing, spacious, and modern radio station. WRCU is constantly full of DJs, Board members, and friends hanging out in the station. Everyone really digs the vibe WRCU provides. From our infamous whiteboard full of inside jokes to our meeting room table laden with homework and to-go box lunches. It feels cool to be a part of WRCU, and college radio in general. The hardest part of college radio is maintaining a level of professionalism in student DJs. All our shows are live and 80% of them are hosted by students so often a show can become a fun 60 or 120 minutes for DJs to hang out and play their music for their own benefit rather than focus on their listenership. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in your music and doing what you love.