What does WSUM mean to you? We hope that it is always a great radio station where you can hear your favorite music, catch up on the latest news and sports, and hear opinions of UW students. For some of us, however, WSUM is our home. For me, it is learning about how media works, playing my favorite music on the air, and learning all about radio operations. Radio was something I did in high school, so I was grateful to hear that UW had such a great station. In fact, after touring the station for the first time in 2013, I told my parents “I'm going to Wisconsin.” I love staying busy, but also having fun. This is the perfect place to do it.
We asked some of our other past and present DJs to share their stories about WSUM, and how much the station has impacted their lives!
“As a student, WSUM provided me and my fellow students with direct experience in public speaking and communications, weekly program planning and implementation, creative expression, leadership, and problem solving. It was a true learning laboratory in broadcasting and professional development…with a great soundtrack.
“WSUM brings together students and community members from a wide variety of interests and majors. After graduation, WSUM alumni scatter to different paths and careers. But this sense of community is never left behind. 12 years later, many of my closest friends in life are the ones I met through WSUM.
“WSUM helped to me to find a ‘home,' a special place to call my own, within a massive university. I believe it can provide a sense of ‘home' to listeners as well. Music can bring people together. There's a lot of joy in finding kindred spirits, especially when your taste is more alternative than ‘alternative.'
“It's tempting to consider our time at WSUM as the best years of our lives. But the truth is that our experiences at WSUM laid the foundation for future ‘best years.'”
-Anna Adams, former Station Manager and President of Friends of Madison Student Radio
“There are few places on campus where I am fully comfortable being myself; WSUM is one of those places. Whenever I come in to the station, I always feel at home. I've made so many friends who accept me for who I am, which I appreciate deeply. I can discuss music with someone for long periods of time, knowing that they actually care about what I'm saying. This love toward music translates into what people contribute to the station. WSUMers are dedicated, not only towards on-air content they create but also towards how the station can make a difference in the community.
“What's great is that WSUM is welcoming to newcomers who want to help the station achieve its goals. From hosting my own music show, to writing news stories and even writing trivia questions for a fundraiser, I'm grateful for the opportunities I have had to be a part of WSUM. The station has given me a home creatively and socially, and I couldn't see myself fitting in better anywhere else.”
Jack Claiborne, WSUM News
“When I walked into the station for the first time freshman year, I knew it was the place for me. I was in awe just looking around. But I didn't know at the time just how much it would mean to me.
“First and foremost, I've met lifelong friends at WSUM. It is a station filled with incredible people who care about one another and work hard to make the station the best it can be. Most especially, Dave Black has had a huge impact on my life and, for that, I am forever thankful.
“Second, WSUM gave me opportunities I could only dream of on that night when I first walked in. I served as News Director, Assistant Sports Director, broadcast numerous Badger sports, including nationally for the Big Ten Network, was part of two sports shows, & won several awards and scholarships. None of this would have been possible without the station. The experiences alone were more valuable than any paycheck or internship.
“Finally, WSUM gave me a chance to be a trainer, working with and teaching so many amazing members of the station. Watching them succeed continues to bring a smile to my face to this day. Without that experience, I may not have discovered my love of teaching and would not be pursing my graduate degrees and being a Teaching Assistant.
“To put it simply, WSUM means everything to me. I am thankful for the people and the opportunities- it has changed my life in so many ways. Whether it was serving on the exec board or training people to live their dream, I am forever grateful for what WSUM gave me. Forever On W(SUM)isconsin!”
-Scott Memmel, former News Director and Assistant Sports Director
“WSUM is one of those truly rare places where the only barrier to entry is “love something intensely and want to share it with as many people as possible.” It's one of those places where every time you walk through the door you can sit down to review a CD and find a new favorite band or start up a conversation about music with someone that will lead to a friendship that will last well beyond the time at the station and UW-Madison. One of those organizations where everyone genuinely wants everyone else to be as good as they possibly can, and where the leadership believes in you 100%. One of those places where you can truly determine your own path and get out of it whatever you want. It's one of those places that can expose you to people and ideas you would not have ever seen otherwise. It's the best group of which I have ever been a part.”
-Chris Gutmanis, former WSUM DJ and Member of the Executive Staff
“Like most college students, I've been trying to discover what my passion is in life. If it wasn't for that fateful day I decided to sign up for DJ training on a whim, I would have transferred to another school in a heartbeat and wouldn't have found my love for broadcasting. WSUM has and continues to help people grow in more ways than one. It has helped me become a more confident public speaker and allowed me to express myself through a creative outlet. While the station offers numerous, exciting opportunities, the best part is the community of amazing DJs and staff that contribute to WSUM's success. These members are some of the most welcoming, fun, supportive and passionate people I have had the pleasure of knowing these last 1.5 years. When you join WSUM, you automatically become part of a family. It does not just stop after your time here in Madison; it truly is a place to call home.”
–Sarah Grace Hevrdejs, Social Media Director
WSUM has impacted so many DJs for years. We hope that in the future, more students will have the same opportunity to explore college broadcasting as we did. If you would like to make a contribution to WSUM and support UW students in pursuing careers in broadcasting, please visit http://www.wsumfriends.org/.
