Stevenson Grad Makes Radio Waves

My first job after college required a long commute from Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood into Oakbrook. It took about an hour-and-a-half from door to door, and during that long commute, I found myself not only enjoying the radio, but also relying on it to keep me from total boredom.

I just learned that grad and University of Illinois student Erik Hasenberg was recently named the program director of WPGU, 107.1, the student-run commercial radio station in Champaign. The Illini Media Company owns WPGU, which is a non-profit organization. Interestingly, WPGU is independent of the university. None of the station’s funding comes from the university or the state.  This makes for real time experience as the students are in charge of advertising and sales and therefore feel the same pressures that any radio station in the country would have. This station offers the students invaluable experience to better prepare them for the real world of radio. 

Erik worked at the Stevenson radio WAES 88.1 for only one semester. He said it took until his second semester senior year for him to gather the courage to talk to someone about going on air. His AP Environmental Science teacher, Jason Carlson, helped him get involved and Erik was on the air before he knew it.

He said, “I started by myself on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. doing some political talk and then in a few weeks I got a few of my friends to get involved. I wish I had started my freshman year. It was a fantastic experience and I actually used a tape from one my shows on WAES during my interview to be a deejay at WPGU 107.1, here in Champaign.”

Having a light class load helps Erik a lot as he spends a lot of time at WPGU. Admittedly, “Probably more than I should!” He says he’s there about five hours a day and he’s only on the air from 1-3 p.m. Erik says, “It's very rewarding and that's why I spend so much time there. What’s great about working at WPGU is that the results are tangible. Unlike school where all you see is a letter grade, at WPGU, I can see the results of our work. For example, a ratings increase, increased revenue, or simply better programming, are all tangible results that I can see, unlike a semester grade."

As “boss” of the station, Erik oversees everyone and all of the departments at WPGU. “Some stations have operations managers who will deal with production and commercials, but we don't have one here so that responsibility is mine. As Program Director, I will make sure that all departments are doing what they are supposed to do while at the same time have an active hand in moving the station in the direction that I see is best fit. You can livestream WPGU at anytime on the217.com/wpgu."

As always, email me with any news, topics or ideas that you want to read about. Remember, I’d like to be the first to know! I can be reached at laurenbgpatch@aol.com.