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Monmouth tunes into creativity as it celebrates World College Radio Day on Oct. 4

by Michael Andal

Monmouth, Ill. (10/03/2024) — Monmouth College helps its students discover their vocation and, in some cases, their voice. With exposure to the college's radio station, they can sometimes do both at the same time.

That's a message that Chris Goble, the adviser for the college's WPFS-FM (105.9) radio station, wants to convey in conjunction to celebrating the 14th annual World College Radio Day on Oct. 4 along with more than 700 other stations.

"(College radio) is where new and emerging artists can have a voice, where students can discover their voice and learn how to do radio as a profession," said Goble. "It provides an opportunity for students to showcase music, artists and ideas that - maybe - don't get played" because of commercial stations' focus.

A platform for artists

"College radio provides artists a platform to be recognized, to gain attention and to have their voices heard," said Goble. "This day is to celebrate the independent voice that college radio has across the world."

Goble said the radio station's "Facebook page has gotten three or four artists shouting us out because we started to play them," with artists directing people to listen to WPFS and like their Facebook page.

"That's the sort of relationship you develop with independent artists," he said.

On World College Radio Day, WPFS will launch the semester's first episode of its Backstage Pass program, during which the station's staff members talk to new and emerging artists and showcase their music.

"A part of that comes from the types of people who do their shows here," said station manager Ryan Phillips '26, a communication studies major from Belleville, Illinois. "They come from everywhere. ... They invite a whole melting pot of music into Monmouth radio. It's all different. That is what is great about 105.9. You never know what you're going to hear next. You'll have a great time listening to this radio station."

Beer cans and baseband

Monmouth College radio traces its roots to the early 1960s, when a group of students developed a homemade radio transmitter. The students were able to broadcast safely and legally at low levels. They engineered the transmitter by being resourceful and "putting together beer cans into an antenna," said Goble.

The station has evolved from using a beer can-based transmitter, to baseband, to campus cable, to streaming via the internet and broadcasting over the air.
"In the early days, it was WFS (for Fighting Scots), which didn't have official call letters, and then it morphed into WMCR (Monmouth College radio)," said Goble. "When we were looking into low-power FM, we had to find call letters that were acceptable to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and WMCR was already taken by a station on the East Coast. I was researching and came across WPFS (Proud Fighting Scots) and harkened back to the first call letters - Fighting Scots."

Designing a creative experience

WPFS "gives opportunities for students to come in and design their show and get some experience, not only on the radio but experience creating something for somebody else," said Goble, noting it is important for students to "think about their audience, showcase music they like, and talk about issues they want to talk about."

In a broader sense, Goble emphasized the growth and connection among the different types of student media. He aims to allow different media such as WPFS and The Courier student newspaper to "work together to inform and entertain a community, whether it be the campus, the Monmouth community, or even beyond."

"I want students to create messages focused on audiences to create an impact on them," said Goble. The students who participate in WPFS are "meaningful and thoughtful in what they do and understand their audience. They can construct things in an impactful, ethical and responsible way."

Student involvement in media

Phillips said one of his favorite parts of the job is witnessing the excitement from his peers starting radio.

"That's my favorite part about all of this - helping them find a voice and start finding their career in radio or media," he said. "That's the thing I enjoy the most."

Growing up around St. Louis, Philips grew an interest in radio through his love of sports.

"I listened to a lot of '101 ESPN' in St. Louis. Hearing Randy Karraker and Brad Thompson my whole childhood, I started loving talk shows and radio," said Phillips, who hopes to "intertwine 105.9 with The Courier with a sports recap issued every Friday."

Communication studies and political science major Karli Strom '25 serves as editor-in-chief of The Courier.

"One of my favorite things about The Courier is not only working with staff, but seeing their improvement and encouraging them to get out of their comfort zone," said Strom, who's from Monmouth.

A former intern at Tri-State Public Radio, Strom has gained experience to incorporate into Monmouth College media. Alongside Phillips, Strom aims to connect The Courier to WPFS.

"It's a fun way to make things more conversational and broaden your range of activities you can do," she said.

Coming into college, Strom didn't expect to be involved with the college newspaper, but with the help of Goble, she was encouraged to try news writing.

"Now, I cannot imagine not being a part of it," said Strom, who plans to use her education and the skills she's acquired to work in Springfield or Chicago.

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