Getting a whole lot of air
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In an age in which commercial radio’s popularity is waning, it is crucial for stations to appeal to listeners. Offering online streaming as well as a variety of programming are just a few ways KRUI is staying relevant.
In March, KRUI celebrated its 25th anniversary. The station broadcasts everything from music and talk shows to news and sports and reaches audiences in Iowa City and Coralville.
A static start
Student broadcasting at the UI started in 1952 with the founding of KWAD, which was located in and exclusively served the Quadrangle Residence Hall. By 1968, KWAD had gained popularity and become KICR. The station’s audience consisted of around 5,000 listeners, most of whom were students.
KICR became KRUI in 1976, but because of lack of funding, equipment, and enthusiasm, KRUI went off the air in the late-70s. In 1980, KRUI returned to the airwaves, and the station began broadcasting at FM on March 28, 1984.
Students serving students
Today, KRUI has a staff of approximately 220 volunteers and 11 directors, all of whom are students. The station is housed in the IMU.
After he was cut from the UI hockey team, Jordan Loperena decided he wanted to stay involved with sports in some way. He applied at KRUI, where he is now station’s sports director.
“[KRUI] made me forget about the hockey part of my life and go on with the rest of it,” Loperena said. “It’s been a blast ever since.”
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Students with melody on their minds find peers at KRUI.
“The DJs here are very knowledgeable about music,” said KRUI administrative director John Wilmes. “It’s a really cool place to be if you like music.”
KRUI is accepting applications for the fall 2009 semester.
“We’re on the air pretty much 24/7 365 days,” KRUI general manager Nathan Gould said. “So we’re always looking for help.”
How can I get involved?
Log on to www.kruiradio.org and click on the Jobs tab.
What can I do?
KRUI offers positions for everything from on-air DJs to sports analysts to marketing and public-relations positions.
Whom do I contact?
KRUI general manager Nathan Gould can be reached at nathan-gould@uiowa.edu
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