KCSS celebrated College Radio Day at California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) on Friday, Oct. 2 by raising awareness and inviting people to listen to college radio.
Even though college radio has been around for 95 years, it was not until 2010 that Dr. Rob Quicke(General Manager, WPSC FM, William Paterson University, NYC market) and Peter Kreten (General Manager, WXAV FM, Saint Xavier University, Chicago market) developed the idea of College Radio Day. Two years later in 2012, the event went international  with more than 30 countries celebrating College Radio Day.
The purpose of College Radio Day is to raise awareness about college and high school radio stations, as well as invite people who do not regularly listen to do so in hopes for them to become regular listeners.
College Radio Day is the day that hundreds of thousands of stations join together to become one and continue to deliver passionate, inspired programming with no commercials. College radio is the single free, live medium that broadcasts unique and courageous programming without the concern of not being popular.
The voice of Stan State KCSS did not stay behind. They too rose up to bring awareness.  The KCSS broadcasters aired College Radio Day history facts throughout their regular programming to bring awareness to their listeners about the special day.
Unlike commercial radio, college radio stations are community stations that interact at a personal level with their audience. KCSS is popular among the community for playing local bands and benefiting college students.
“College radio benefits students by giving them a place to organize an activity that they enjoy, and it gives them a chance to run a business with something that they are familiar with, something that they enjoy, which is radio music,” Dr. Gregory Jacquay said.
Dr. Jacquay is a Stan State alumni who was involved with KCSS when he was an undergraduate student. Dr. Jacquay has been the KCSS General Manager since 1998. During his time as a college student, college radio used to be more popular among the students. His hopes for college radio in the future are optimistic.
“I hope that college radio never stops trying to be ahead of the game. College radios were one of the first web broadcasters and the reason we can do that is because we have many resources on campus,” Jacquay said. “We are not afraid to try new things and to be experimental. I think that college radio will be around for a long time.”
If you would like to show your support for our college radio station, you can purchase KCSS spirit merchandise at the KCSS station located at the Demergosso-Bava Hall, Floor 1, Room 124. And, don’t forget to tune in to the valley’s true alternative and the voice of Stan State, 91.9 KCSS Turlock. You can also tune in online at KCSS.net.