A2 radio station showcases student talents on, off air

WCBN, the campus radio station, has grown in the past 25 years from the 10-watt station that launched the careers of actress Gilda Radner and correspondent Mike Wallace to an organization based in diversity and spanning musical genres.

The station currently boasts a staff of approximately 100 workers, about 70 of which are University students.

All executive staff positions are held by students, with the exception of the chief engineer.

These students do everything from handling FCC guidelines to hosting their own show.

NATHAN RUFFER/Daily D.J. Ben Kelly, an LSA senior, works the controls and spins some tunes at WCBN in the Student Activities Building.

"There is a great opportunity to make a difference. Through the executive positions you can share some responsibility," said Law third-year student Chip Sanders, host of the Radio Rama Lama, Fa Fa Fa show. He describes his show as 60's garage rockabilly.

WCBN began as several different independent stations formed in residence halls basements across campus.

It provided an outlet for the students' voice as an alternative to the official University station.

In 1952, the dormitory stations combined to form WCBN-AM 650. But the pieces finally fell into place in 1957, when the new station finally found its current home in the then newly constructed Student Activities Building. WCBN became an FM station in 1971 to accommodate its listeners.

WCBN stresses the importance of not imposing a playlist on its DJs. They are instead encouraged to choose from the extensive musical library and bridge every area of music. This is known as freeform.

"There is a great opportunity to grow musically," said LSA sophomore Melissa Srbinovich, WCBN operations director. "A student can see how music progresses as a whole."

Srbinovich said the station's diversity is represented in its wide variety of musical selections.

"It is a totally diverse organization," Srbinovich said. "In my experience, it is the most diverse group on campus."

A typical show can range from rock to blues to country and everything that falls in-between. Specialty shows often focus on an international location and explore its musical contributions.

To get involved, e-mail WCBN at training@wcbn.org.

Or check out their Website at http://wcbn.org to find out the complete history of the station, a full equipment inventory and program information.

09-25-98