KWVS 101.5 FM, Malibu’s only radio station, returns for another year of broadcasting live entertainment and news across the airwaves. The station crew said they look forward to embarking on a fresh journey, with the intent of making its presence known and creating some literal noise.
The station underwent major changes two years ago when 101.5 FM began streaming on the web. Since then, the radio station has been experimenting with social media branding and promotion. KWVS faculty adviser Susan Salas said the team is working to gain more physical presence and recognition around campus and Malibu. She said KWVS’ goal this year is to take the radio out of the station and into the community.
The 2012-2013 executive board consists of Station Manager Aaron Headrick, Program Director Wil Fisher, Events Director Ralph Sampang, Promotions Director T.J. Cho and Music Director Andy Krawtz.
The station’s broadcasting room expects some radical changes in equipment. They plan to install a new sound board and acoustic set to give student musicians the chance to join the station for live jam sessions.
“We look forward to having Coffeehouse musicians join us live in the studio after their performances,” Sampang said.
In addition, the station has established new programming. KWVS will now plan to have 24-hour broadcasting with live feeds and playbacks of previous recordings. In previous years, KWVS streamed smooth jazz music in the time slots that were not filled by DJs.
Sampang, Fisher and Krawtz agreed that one of their main goals is to promote and advertise more events and group activities set to take place on campus and around Malibu.
They have already generated buzz about an event scheduled for Nov. 3 that will aid Buyamba Uganda, a nonprofit ministry in Uganda designed to support orphaned and impoverished children.
Junior Courtney Germann will walk from main campus to Malibu Gathering, a local church on Pacific Coast Highway, to raise money for children in Uganda who are in need of a bus to shuttle them to school. KWVS will be by Germann’s side on Oct. 3 at 9:30 a.m. to document the event, titled “Bus 4 Buyamba.”
Perhaps one of the bigger and most obvious changes is the arrival of new DJs.
“We have a very unique and interesting lineup planned,” Fisher said.
There are students interested in covering sports and entertainment, while others desire to focus on less conventional subject matter.
Freshman Kaitlyn Ryan, for example, plans to delve into a topic that has yet to be discussed on the KWVS.
“On my show, we will look into every aspect of a subject such as love, happiness, stress or humanism — it’s endless,” Ryan said.
Many veteran KWVS hosts said that their experiences at the station will remain valuable for years to come.
“Based on my experience here, I was able to get a job at a station in my hometown,” Krawtz said.
Sophomore and Graphic Assistant News Editor Whitney Irick has been a part of KWVS since her first semester of freshman year.
She explained that the station grants her creative control, giving her hands-on experience with radio equipment that most undergrads do not get the chance to work with.
