Tony Weed of Kansas City Runs Radio Station at William Woods University

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Tony Weed, KWWU programming manager and graduate assistant to the arts division, works in the radio station’s studio.

FULTON, MO (05/16/2011)(readMedia)-- William Woods University's student-run radio station, KWWU 94.9 the Pulse, recently began live streaming online. Anyone, anywhere in the world with an Internet connection can now listen to the radio station by going to its website http://thepulse.williamwoods.edu/.

In addition, the station is working on an app for digital devices so listeners can connect to the radio station through their phones and iPods.

According to Tony Weed of Kansas City, programming manager and graduate assistant to the arts division, the Pulse strives to become a competitive force in the broadcast area. "We want to become more than a college station, and we are well on our way to reaching this goal."

Students who have been involved in the Pulse this year are: seniors Chris Norton of St. Louis, Emily Strauss of Tulsa, Okla., and Katie Zimmer of Barrington, Ill.; junior Patrice Basso of Dallas, Texas; sophomore Brooke Thibodaux of Wildwood, Mo., and freshman Amelia Nugent of Manchester, N.H.

Zimmer, Basso and Nugent are communication majors and Thibodaux is a broadcast journalism major, while Norton is a digital filmmaking major and Strauss is an equine administration major.

The Federal Communication Commission awarded a license to William Woods University in 2001 for the construction and operation of a low-power on-campus FM radio station, with an effective radiated power of 23 to 47 watts. It was expected that the signal would be available within a three- to five-mile radius of the 90-foot tower that was constructed on campus. The station went on the air Aug. 25, 2003.

Funding for the station came from the William T. Kemper Foundations, in conjunction with the university. The Kemper Foundation also provided major funding for the Gladys Woods Kemper Center for the Arts, which opened in 1999 and houses the radio station.

Built to be an academic component offered by the arts division, the station supports the instructional programs in communication, which includes broadcast journalism. The radio station allowed WWU to enhance its curriculum and provide on-air experience and other opportunities for interested students.

94.9 The Pulse is the only station in the mid-Missouri listening area that plays Alternative Rock from the late 80s to new music. Students work in every aspect of radio, from hosting live radio shows, producing segments, promotions and advertisements, and selling underwriting opportunities.

Shows include a variety of topics, which are ultimately up to the students. One segment, run by Thibodaux, is called "Anywhere but Fulton," which discusses different locations around the world.

Jason Knowles, WWU broadcasting and digital filmmaking instructor and the head radio station manager, said format shows are just the beginning.

"Next semester, we plan to have DJs on site at campus and community events hosting remote programming through the station. This will definitely give us and the rest of the university more exposure and publicity."

Weed said, "We encourage anyone who has interest in the station to become part of the production process," he said. "We work with many other departments around campus. Most recently, we've worked with marketing and advertising students to make various radio advertisements. We have even done a small radio play."

Knowles added, "While the main focus of the radio broadcasting course is on students developing their own on-air voice and talent, we do occasionally like to deviate into radio theatre."

He emphasized that auditions for the next radio play – something similar to Orson Welles' Oct. 30, 1938, broadcast of "War of the Worlds" – will be open to everyone on campus, as well as the general public, when they are held early next fall.

Weed encourages feedback from listeners. Contact him at (573) 592-1650 or Anthony.weed@williamwoods.edu or the station at 949thepulse@williamwoods.edu. Listeners can also become fans of the station's Facebook page.