The first poster features an historical sketch of student radio’s re-birth as “WKPS 90.7fm” in 1995, while the second poster explains and features the station’s move from the James Building to the HUB-Robeson Center on campus in 2003.

The posters can been seen below in high quality PDF format. They hang inside the studio of The LION 90.7fm, the modern heir to the Senior Gift of the Class of 1951, on the ground floor of the HUB. The studio sits directly next to the Aquariums, the Senior Gift of the Class of 1999. The student officers encourage visitors.

To register yourself with us, simply visit the “Join Today” page located on the top right of the website and fill out the form with all pertinent information. You will automatically be signed up to receive e-mail correspondence from us, as well as postal mail newsletters and correspondence if you provide a mailing address.

If you’re already a member of the group, or if you would like to update your membership details, including address, phone number, e-mail, etc., simply pull up the most recent e-mail you’ve received from us, and in the bottom of the e-mail click on the link to “manage your subscription,” where you’ll be able to edit all membership details.

Thank you for staying in touch with us and continuing to support the mission of the Penn State Student Radio Alumni Interest Group!

The gift, a legal deed to one square inch of Mount Nittany, was purchased as a way for the alumni to support the Mount Nittany Conservancy in its efforts to maintain our beloved mountain while at the same time signaling to the students of The LION 90.7fm the importance of philanthropy and local engagement.

Along with the deed, the students received a framed copy of “The Legend of Mount Nittany,” one of the original Indian legends of the Nittany Valley that were gathered by Henry Shoemaker more than a century ago.

Anyone can support the Mount Nittany Conservancy with a donation online or via mail, and their square inch deeds can be purchased via their website at www.mtnittany.org.

Photos of the deed can be seen below. If you’re in town, feel free to stop by the studio of The LION 90.7fm on the ground floor of the HUB-Robeson Center, adjacent to the aquarium, and admire the beautifully framed deed and read the moving legend of our tranquil valley.

DJs reunite to celebrate 50 years of student radio at Penn State
 

The College of Communications Alumni Society—with support from the College of Communications—recently celebrated 50 years of Penn State radio with an alumni reunion for past participants of student-run radio at Penn State. The event, held the weekend of March 20 at The Nittany Lion Inn, attracted 120 people, including former DJs and founders of student radio station WDFM, now WKPS.

The weekend featured tours of Sparks Building—where Penn State’s student-run radio began—AccuWeather, the All-Sports Museum, and the WKPS studio, now located in the HUB. Discussions, dinner, and dancing also highlighted the weekend.

At the reunion dinner, keynote speakers Ellen McDonnell ’76, executive producer of National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” and Al Resnik ’76, a consulting engineer with Carl T. Jones Corporation in Springfield, Va., shared their experiences at WDFM and its influence on their careers.

The reunion provided alumni an opportunity to lay the groundwork for the possible formation of a new Student Radio Alumni Interest Group. Since December 1953, more than 1,500 Penn State students have been involved with student radio at Penn State. The new AIG would provide graduates of Penn State radio an opportunity to maintain contact with Penn State, the student radio station, and other student radio alumni. Members of the AIG would serve as a networking resource and as mentors for current students who are involved in student radio.

An open meeting during the reunion drew 70 people and created four areas of focus for the proposed AIG:

1. Creating a comprehensive history of student radio at Penn State.
2. Serving as an advocate for student radio at Penn State.
3. Advising the staff of the current student radio station.

 

If you’re an alum or just someone who’s interested in visiting The LION 90.7fm and getting a personal tour of what student radio is like today, contact General Manager Brandon W. Peach to arrange a meeting time.

News articles will appear periodically here documenting our hands-on work with current undergraduates involved with student radio at The LION 90.7fm (WKPS) and about what we’re doing in the AIG to make life better for those of us who have graduated.