Shannon McEnerney | Sept. 10, 2009
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| Photo by James Brosher |
| The Wednesday night callout for slots at WIUX radio resulted in more than 300 students attending an organizational meeting at Jordan Hall. |
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But she’s not talking about TV. She was one of more than 300 students who attended a Wednesday night callout meeting for WIUX, IU’s student-run radio station, at Jordan Hall.
“I’m praying I get a show,” she said. “It’s what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
Attendees learned about the station and about how to apply for positions. In addition to serving as a DJ for a WIUX show, students can serve on committees, such as specialty shows, public relations, sports, special events, news, production, promotions, music, engineering, technology and sales/business. This year, the station hopes to launch a mobile DJ, someone who would be a public DJ and attend social events around campus and in the community.
General manager Ryan Patena and programming director Greg Palys showed a Powerpoint to the crowd to introduce them WIUX, which broadcasts at 99.1 FM, started in 1962 and now highlights local news and sports. What makes the station different, organizers said, is its ability to play music that is new and can’t be heard anywhere else. The station also has an online feed, which means even those who don’t live within transmission range can listen to it.
Even though radio technology developed in the late 1800s, the industry continues to evolve and to capture student interest. Patena said this year’s callout numbers are similar to last year’s. During the last school year, WIUX had a staff of about 360 students, he said.
“Know that there are a lot of people out there without experience,” Patena told his audience. “It won’t hurt your chances.” Desire and dedication are two key qualities that trump any experience, he said. As long as a student is dedicated to the station and does well, he or she will probably receive an on-air show.
Palys said students shouldn’t be afraid to become involved.
“I was scared too,” Palys said of his initial WIUX experience. He recalled his 6 a.m. morning show and his early rises out of bed to walk in the dark from Teter Quad to the station’s location on at Eighth and Woodlawn. Now, as one of WIUX’s directors, Palys said he encourages all students to keep working at the station because the more students who work at the station, the easier it is to provide service.
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| Photo by James Brosher |
| Sports director Ben Heisler told attendees about the types of work available. |
Some students who attended the callout meeting had previous WIUX experience. Senior Jon Stewart was on the sports committee last year. He has hosted an on-air talk show and helped broadcast football, basketball and baseball games. He said he loves working with WIUX because of the “freedom to say what you want on the air, as long as you follow FCC rules.”
“Don’t be afraid” is his advice for new students. “The upperclassmen will help.”
Junior Amy Goad attended the call-out meeting because of her previous experience hosting a radio show with her friend last semester during finals week. She came back because she said she is interested in increasing her involvement, and she likes being able to play new music.
Others see working at the station as a resume-builder.
“We’re one of the best organizations on campus to get experience,” Palys said about WIUX’s importance, especially for students who are interested in careers in media or radio.
Stanton smiled when she thought about why radio is important to her.
“It’s so personal,” she said. “You’re talking to people and they talk back to you. You don’t have that personal connection with television.”
Miss the callout? Get involved:
- Check out the WIUX Web site for more details, including applications and directions.
- Complete applications by midnight Sept. 13 and send to Greg Palys.
Time slots for the shows vary, and WIUX members said while all times are available, they are looking for new members who can fill early morning time slots at 4 a.m. or 6 a.m.
