WMSC Named Marconi Finalist

Montclair, New Jersey – The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has named Montclair State University’s campus radio station WMSC-90.3 FM as a finalist for the prestigious National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio Award in the category of College Radio Station of the Year. This marks the third time that NAB has recognized WMSC, with earlier nominations for Best Non-Commercial Station of the Year  (2017) and College Station of the Year (2019).

 “This is an exceptional validation of our students’ extraordinary work while operating under extraordinary circumstances” said Anabella Poland, General Manager and station advisor. “The work we accomplished in the most difficult year in recent memory demonstrates that Montclair State not only offers state-of-the-art facilities, but it also offers a solid foundation for students to learn to be nimble.”

This nomination caps a string of top industry awards for WMSC this year. This past spring at the 2021 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference and Awards Event, the station earned top honors as Best College Station of the Year ( +more than 10,000 students) , Best Program Director, Best Business Manager and Best Use of Sound Effects.

News of the nomination brought student managers to the WMSC’s Discord server to reflect on a year well spent. 

“College radio was the beacon in the middle of the Covid-19 storm for my peers and me,” said student station manager Kaya Maciak. “It is an amazing honor to be recognized by the National Association of Broadcasters any year, but especially in such a difficult year. The knowledge we acquired during this challenging time is beyond valuable”. 

“I am impressed by the resilience of my peers in college radio and my university’s ability to flip modalities in one week,” said Program Director Nate Williams. “This past year has challenged us to step up to the plate in ways we never imagined, and I am thrilled our efforts have earned us this prestigious nomination”.

“News reporting at the height of the pandemic was difficult. Each day, our live morning show would begin with the latest Covid numbers in the USA and around the world,” said news director Louis Biondolillo. “The work we did together while apart made us grow stronger as professionals but also as a team.”

“WMSC is truly a home away from home for me and I’m proud that all the passion and hard work our team has put into the station is being recognized,” said Charlie Falotico, Music Director.

The station has been using the online gamers platform Discord as a communication tool since 2017, and as a virtual gathering space and recording studio since March 2020. Their high level of adaptability and sheer determination to keep broadcasting as the world began to lock down is just one example of their resilience.

“This nomination is yet another recognition of the exceptional work done by the students and staff at WMSC,” said Keith Strudler, Director of the School of Communication and Media at Montclair State. “Their commitment to sustained excellence, to our School and campus community, and to each other through the challenges of this past year has been outstanding and well deserving of this nomination.”

The winners will be announced on October 13 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner held at the 2021 Radio Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

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About 90.3 WMSC-FM

WMSC, The Voice of Montclair State, is an alternative rock and talk college radio station located at and owned by Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, United States. WMSC broadcasts at 90.3 MHz and online at www.wmscradio.com featuring independent and alternative music genres with a great mix of news, talk, sports and entertainment shows. WMSC is available worldwide online at www.wmscradio.com and it is also available on the iHeartRadio app.