Dear Students of Penn State Fayette,
Imagine having access to the microphone at a radio station. Rather, imagine all of us students having access to a station and the creativity that could unleash. We could make comedy skits like WDVE’s Randy Baumann & the DVE Morning Show. Student DJs could narrate our sports games or the news to a live audience. Maybe we could even interview local or student musicians and play their music; along with DJs playing songs belonging to their own unique musical tastes. The possibilities are truly endless of what us students could create and put on the air. Heck, the DJs at Cal U’s 91.9 WCAL were playing Dungeons and Dragons the other night. If us students had our own station, it could become a huge part of the campus and surrounding community. Penn State Fayette students need to launch a student radio station.
The best way for Penn State Fayette to get a student radio station would be for a small group of students to form a club, write a constitution and rules, start broadcasting live online or by podcast, and then expand to full-on FM broadcasting. This way, the negatives of solely broadcasting online or over the air and the financial risk of starting an FM station would be avoided. Broadcasting online would cost practically nothing, and while solely broadcasting online to a limited audience students could get their feet wet learning to DJ and make radio programs. Once the student radio station proves itself online, the campus could apply to the FCC to get a license. While waiting on the FCC, the station could still broadcast online and buy all the necessary transmitting equipment. Once the license is granted, the station could take to the air and expand operations. Social media should also be used to drum up more interest in the station. Students could access the station’s social media to give song suggestions, ideas for content, or even join in on game shows. Additionally, a station website could be made that would have station news, a programming schedule, news articles, a live audio feed, and any number of other things.
Penn State Fayette needs to have a student radio station. If my plan is followed, a successful student station could be started. If it is not, then our campus and us students are assuredly missing out. Student radio lets creativity run wild and could become a huge part of our campus and surrounding community. DJing would be fun, too.
P.S. I created a website which has extra information on the idea.
Sincerely,
Samuel D. Leonard
Radio Hobbyist
Class of 2025
B.S. in Engineering
PSU Fayette