The final broadcast: Honoring 25 years of WNGR at NGU
Treasure Hardwick, Staff Writer
After 25 years of broadcasting, WNGR, the student-run radio station at North Greenville University, is signing off for the final time. What began as a small, campus-based broadcasting project has evolved into an impactful platform that has trained media professionals and connected a global audience.
WNGR’s journey began in 2002. Initially, the station started as a micro broadcast that could barely cover the NGU campus. However, through student enthusiasm, the station began to gain listeners. Students advocated for the station’s expansion and applied for the second Low Power FM (LPFM) license issued by the FCC in the state of South Carolina.
The LPFM license allowed WNGR to serve not only a local audience but also listeners around Greenville County. The license and expansion marked a milestone in the station’s history and allowed it to transition to a legitimate broadcast.
From the beginning, WNGR has always been student run. Professors provided guidance and ensured that the station was following FCC regulations, but the station has been run by students with passion and great ideas.
For the most part, students involved with WNGR took the broadcasting practicum. They learned about the ins and outs of pre-production and going on air. After this, they showed up weekly to present their ideas and be a voice that listeners remember and admire.
Through their practice and work on WNGR, students have gone on to careers in iHeartRadio, NPR, WSSL and media consultants. Their significant achievement speaks to the station’s effectiveness in allowing media students to gain experience and flourish in their careers.
Even though WNGR listeners stay mostly local, listeners from all over the glove have tuned into to hear these students practice their passion and go live.
Andrew Stevens, professor of communication at NGU, watched the station go live and flourish throughout the years. He has mentored broadcast students, gave them tips on how to gain confidence in the radio world and proudly watched them grow in knowledge and skill.
Stevens explained that WNGR is not a result of his excellent teaching or ideas, but rather a product of student passion and drive. When the communication professors decided to start WNGR, they decided that they would allow students to lead and for their ideas to be the focal point.
Because WNGR is operated solely by students and their ideas, it has changed throughout the years to accommodate their needs and the ever-changing media. Stevens said that the media world is transitioning from radio to more visual entertainment and mediums such as podcasts.
This change has required WNGR students and faculty to reassess the content of the radio and consider transitioning to more modern outlets. This has led to the decision to close the radio station and sign off for a final time.
However, the closing of WNGR does not signify the end of student voices in the media world. Broadcast students will now focus on perfecting skills in more popular media such as podcasting and content creating.
Professors involved in WNGR, as well as students and alumni who took the practicum and learned to love the radio world, will have a celebration party for the station on May 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Attendants will have the opportunity to sit behind the microphone one last time, giving a bittersweet farewell to the radio.
Stevens believes that this is the best decision, and that it will ultimately grow students and give glory to God.
He said, “WNGR came about because students had a desire and drive. I want that to be what is known. We’re moving in a new direction because of student desire and interest. But all things are always going to be done to the glory of God, whatever and however we’re doing it.”
