Listen Up! Did you know Conn has a radio station?

Photo by Hannah Plishtin

A few days before my arrival back at Conn, I was sitting in my backyard with my father, discussing the various clubs and programs I was interested in being a part of this year. He suggested I get involved with Conn’s radio station. Great, I thought, except for the fact that Conn doesn’t have a radio station, so good call, Dad. It wasn’t until this semester’s first College Voice meeting that I became aware of the existence of Conn’s radio station, WCNI. And now I’m writing an article about it. Sorry, Dad.

In fact, WCNI, located at frequency 90.9 FM, not only exists, but it is an incredibly unique and interesting part of both the Connecticut College and New London communities. I spoke with Kyle Smith ’14, the Program Director of the station, and learned that WCNI, a non-profit and non-commercial organization recognized by SGA, had its first airdate in 1972 and became registered with the FCC in 1974. Since its first FM airdate in 1974, WCNI has evolved from a radio station with only ten watts of power (barely enough to broadcast to all of our campus) to boasting a wattage power of 2,000 today. WCNI now broadcasts all over Connecticut, and even in some parts of New York and southern Massachusetts. WCNI streams live all year, and even online, with help from the local members of the New London community, namely the community section General Manager John Tyler, who keeps WCNI alive while Conn students go home for the winter, summer and here and there in between.

Before Smith joined the WCNI team three semesters ago, he noticed a “dwindling student involvement,” something he has adamantly been trying to work on. Although WCNI is severely under the radar for most of Conn’s student body, Smith emphasized that the main purpose of the radio station is to “bring together the Connecticut College community and the New London community” and to implement “a strong community outreach.” But first, WCNI must get its word out. Every spring, the radio station has a fundraising marathon (since it receives no funding from the school) in order to raise awareness about the station among both Connecticut College students and members of the New London community.

Currently, plans to implement live music concerts each semester are in the works. Live music is something every student can appreciate and look forward to, especially those of us that quickly grow weary of the weekly Cro dances.

Photo by Dayna McCoubrey

Smith said, “As long as people can have a few drinks, listen to live music and dance, it’s a good night.” He also hopes to “create ways to make the station more present on campus, perhaps by increasing the station’s visibility.”

So far, the only signs advertising WCNI on campus are the signs in the station’s windows. What signs? What windows? Exactly. For those of you wondering, the station is located on the side of Cro facing the Plex. However, you can only enter from the outside of Cro. It’s a bit of a labyrinth, but once you get through it, the space inside WCNI is worth the extra time spent looking for the station.

The extensive music collection the station has accumulated over the years (picture hundreds of CDs and records) speaks to just how much liberty a DJ at WCNI has in playing literally whatever the hell he wants. As Program Director, Smith does not discriminate against any musical genre by saying, “As long as it sounds good, who cares?”

I had the chance to go inside the station and even go on air to read a few public service announcements (one about wearing your seatbelts, one about puppies — WCNI covers all its bases). Upon entering WCNI in my Woodstock t-shirt with the Allman Brothers coming through the speakers, I felt as if I had truly entered an area that was outside of any ordinary, classic Connecticut College space. Don’t get me wrong — our campus is beautiful. Something out of a magazine, even. However, it is because of WCNI’s eclectic and edgy vibe that makes me think of the station as something completely unique within Connecticut College. It gives the school a personality that more students should not only be aware of, but also a part of. WCNI truly operates “For The Love of Music.”