SPRING 2008

Donation of radio equipment enables ‘industry-standard’ instruction

SC49 – you’re on the air – what’s your request?”

On-air phone conversations are one of many skills that Shorter students can master on improved radio equipment, thanks to a donation by Mills Fitzner in the fall of 2007. The donation provides Shorter’s student-run radio station with an 11-channel AirWave audioboard, processor and eight microphones, which will replace the station’s previous equipment.

“This is an upgrade for improved sound that will expand our capabilities,” said Allen Dutch, instructor of communication and the station’s faculty advisor. “It is a professional broadcast board made for an actual radio station, so it is similar to what students might encounter in their first job.”

While learning the ropes of radio, student volunteers commit to producing a weekly two-hour themed radio show for a semester. The variety of shows includes music requests, sports, talk shows and discussions about campus issues. Skills that students can practice with the new equipment include cueing music, smoothly bringing up sound levels, taking on-air phone requests and conducting live interviews. Communication majors also use the SC49 equipment for skills tests and classroom projects.

“The timing of this gift was very useful as we begin to develop a focus on media studies with an emphasis in broadcasting,” said Mr. Dutch. “This is out of our purchasing power, but now students will expand their learning on industry-standard equipment.”