KCWU students promote World College Radio Day on TV

World College Radio Day was October 6, and this year, Central Washington University’s radio station, 88.1 The ‘Burg, celebrated it on television.

Laynie Erickson, KNDU Tri-Cities morning anchor and 88.1 The ‘Burg alumna, invited the station’s news team to visit the studio and tell her viewers about the campus radio station’s significance live on-air, giving the aspiring broadcast news professionals an inside look at what producing a morning news program is like. Erickson graduated from CWU in 2022 with a major in Digital Journalism.

Journalism senior Lily Beck, who serves as news director at The ‘Burg, said the experience gave her some valuable insight into her future career.

“It gives me a whole new goal to achieve,” she said. “It puts into perspective how someone in my position can go out and get a career in this (field), and that gives me a lot of hope that I’ve got a future ahead of me in broadcasting. I want to work in news radio in the Seattle or Bellevue market, and this feels like a big step in that direction.”

Beck, along with The ‘Burg’s Sports Broadcast Coordinator Ryan Gildersleeve, went live with Erickson bright and early at 6 a.m. to discuss the cultural significance of college radio, as well as the station’s many successes in the field. They were joined behind the scenes by two other members of The ‘Burg’s news team, reporters Natalie Robinette and Callie Wyckoff, and station Director Tommy Skaggs.

The ‘Burg’s status as a multi-award-winning power player on the national college radio stage has drawn many students to CWU over the years, including Gildersleeve, a junior journalism major.

“88.1 was a big part of my motivation for coming to CWU in the first place,” he said. “What people may not fully understand is how much of a privilege it is to work with such a professional program at such a young age. I can personally attest that the technology we use is top-tier, not only for a college radio station but for any station. I would say that 88.1 has far exceeded my expectations.”

88.1 The ‘Burg provides students with experience in a broad variety of fields, ranging from news reporting and anchoring to graphic design, marketing, engineering, and many other disciplines. According to General Manager Tommy Skaggs, the station prides itself on offering a unique experience for any student curious about the world of broadcasting.

"We encourage all students from any major to get involved with The Burg,” Skaggs said. “Whether it be hosting their own radio show, helping with music selection, or working behind the scenes, we strive to provide a collaborative, creative atmosphere for students to express themselves and gain real-world experience in."