WMSC Celebrates 55th Anniversary and Vinylthon

Written by on April 21, 2022

MONTCLAIR, N.J. April 21st, 2022 – Montclair State University’s WMSC 90.3 FM is celebrating the station’s 55 anniversary with a 55-hour live broadcast marathon starting April 22 at 4pm. The special event programming will showcase the best WMSC shows and more than 24 hours of vinyl-only music, as the station partakes in college radio’s Vinylthon 2022.

The award-winning campus radio station began operations officially on April 17, 1967, nearly two semesters after a group of students led by Ed Helvey (Class of 1967) started working on establishing a radio station on campus.

Original ribbon from ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 17, 1967 and booklet with original marathon held prior to launch.

“Happy 55th WMSC, from someone who was there on Day #1”, said Helvey on Twitter. “I feel like a proud father! Keep up the great work and tradition that began in 1967”.

General Manager Anabella Poland who has been the professional advisor to the station since 2015 reflects on the milestone anniversary, and the kind of impact the station has on MSU students.

“I think of the hundreds of students whose lives were touched by this extraordinary experience,” said Poland. “Since its inception, WMSC has been offering students a real world co-curricular activity where they can earn transferable skills applicable to any career.”

Student station manager Kaya Maciak led the team of students in preparation for the big celebration.

“It’s incredible to see how weeks of planning will all come together this weekend. I am looking forward to experiencing the thrill and positive chaos of this event one last time (*cue in Hamilton music*). This is one of my final moments ‘to say goodbye’ in my four-year journey at the station,” said Maciak.

Music Director, Jared Tauber, looks forward to this year’s celebration of Vinylthon, which is all music, all vinyl, all the time.

“It has never been a more exciting time to be a vinyl record! As the new music director, it warms my mushy, gushy, pounding heart to see so much enthusiasm generated around what has become such a special event for me Vinylthon 2022 is shaping up to
be nothing less than legendary”.

Dr. K aka University President Johnathan Koppell, Doctor in Funkology

The live programming event kicks off with an exclusive hour of vinyl hosted by university president Dr. Jonathan Koppell. The show “Dr. K’s Vinyl Fantasy Funhouse” will feature a playlist of 70’s and 80’s hits.

 

 

 

Other programming highlights include:

    • “Howdy Rowdy”, a country-fried fun with good tunes vibes show hosted
      by Ben Petruk.
    • “WMSC’s Live Vinyl Vinylthon Spectacular” hosted by next year’s music
      team directors: Jared Tauber and Emily McCormack
    •  A spinoff of The Morning Buzz, “Buzz Thang”, where a weeklong
      competition concludes between each daily team and the winner of the
      battle is announced.
    • A special edition of the award-winning ska, punk, and rock & roll show
      “Stomp N’ Stroll Radio,” hosted by Tara Morgan.
    • An ABBA Hour hosted by Jared Tauber.
    • A show dedicated to Polish music and trivia hosted by station manager
      and Polish resident Kaya Maciak.
    • WMS-D&D II”, a live game of Dungeons & Dragons with dungeon master
      and program director Nate Williams.
    • “Senior Send-Off” an annual, on-air tradition where seniors reflect on their
      time at WMSC and take their final spin on the college radio turntables as
      students.

Tune in via the iHeartRadio app or wmscradio.com and follow WMSC on social media
to keep up with the anniversary and Vinylthon festivities.

Instagram & Facebook: @wmscradio
Twitter & Vero: @wmsc

Use the hashtags #wmsc55th #vinylversary #vinylthon #collegeradio

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About WMSC:

WMSC is a non-commercial, alternative rock and talk college radio station located in New Jersey and owned by Montclair State University. WMSC broadcasts at 90.3 MHz, online at www.wmscradio.com and is also available on the iHeartRadio App & Platforms. It is the mission of WMSC to provide an educational and pre-professional experience in a co-curricular activity for the student body of Montclair State University fostering student learning, professional advancement and civic engagement.