Seventy-five years. That is how long WMUC-FM has been broadcasting from the University of Maryland. This is WMUC-FM. Today, we are diving into the history of this iconic college radio station. WMUC-FM first crackled to life on October 11, 1948.
WMUC-FM is a student tradition. The initial broadcast lasted only three days because of poor transmission. But, it marked the beginning of something special. WMUC-FM has adapted to changing times. It remains an essential part of the university’s campus culture.
WMUC-FM started in a speech department classroom. It moved to a third-floor studio at South Campus Dining Hall. There was even a brief stretch in a renovated shower stall. The station has seen it all.
In recent decades, college radio stations have faced challenges. Digital music platforms expanded. Many stations sold their licenses to national conglomerates. NPR affiliates often took over. Yet, WMUC-FM has continued to grow.
In 2021, WMUC-FM switched from 88.1 FM to 90.5 FM. This boosted the station’s limited broadcast range. Madeline Redding oversaw this critical change. Aidan Appelson is the current general manager. He is working hard to rebuild WMUC-FM’s station culture after the pandemic.
WMUC-FM hosts events like homecoming, prom, bake sales, and a music festival. The number of DJ applicants has exploded. In fall 2023, 121 people applied for a time slot. In 2020, there were only 44 applicants.
John Davis understands the pull of WMUC-FM. He is a curator at the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. Davis joined WMUC-FM in 1995. He hosted his show and took over Third Rail Radio. He even met his wife at the station.
Davis’s interest in punk and indie rock led him to WMUC-FM. The freeform radio format allowed him to explore underground artists. This freeform approach has been instrumental in WMUC-FM’s longevity. Students can be themselves. They can let their taste be heard.
Laura Schnitker has worked to save the station’s history. She is an alumni DJ and a lecturer in the school of music. Schnitker has archived over 1,500 reels, tapes, and discs. These contain decades of radio memories.
The discovery that sparked Schnitker’s project was a 1971 recording. Don McLean recorded “American Pie” at WMUC-FM. This was before the song’s release. The recording featured an extra verse. Schnitker’s work lives in the university’s special collections archive. Anyone can explore WMUC-FM’s past.
New DJs bring fresh ideas to WMUC-FM. They will mix Wikipedia deep dives with music. Some will spotlight female and LGBTQ+ artists. Others will let listeners pick the tunes. WMUC-FM continues to give listeners a reason to tune in.
The station is nearing its ninth decade on-air. WMUC-FM represents uncompromising creativity. Appelson takes pride in being part of the community. He is excited to celebrate the station’s 100th anniversary. WMUC-FM hopes to reach Baltimore by then.
WMUC-FM is a place for loners, punks, and weirdos. They commune with frat boys and business majors. This synthesis makes WMUC-FM better. The station welcomes new DJs each semester. These students seek the freedom to spin records. They want to create community through music. WMUC-FM hopes the kids will keep listening. It is a magical feeling. This is the community that I am part of. We have momentum now.
So next time you are near the University of Maryland, tune into WMUC-FM. You might discover your new favorite band. You will definitely experience the magic of college radio.