Roosevelt University - WRBC student-run streamning media station

Student-run WRBC broadcasting again

Ashley Mouldon and President Middleton at the WRBC launch, January 29.WRBC website

It took one click of the mouse and Roosevelt University’s student-run WRBC: The Blaze was in business, now streaming live over the Internet with music and talk 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Good afternoon everybody and welcome to WRBC: The Blaze," began Roosevelt University President Chuck Middleton who had the honor of clicking the computer mouse and going on-air with WRBC shortly after noon on Thursday, Jan. 29. "You’re tuning in to the first live broadcast in five years," added Middleton as a crowd of well-wishers watched through the window of WRBC’s new station headquarters located in the University’s Department of Communication. The low-watt radio station, which was initially founded in 1946, had been off the air in recent years, but was revived thanks to the hard work of journalism student Ashley Mouldon.

She became interested in the project as a frequent passerby of the station’s old, shuttered headquarters in the Herman Crown Center, and worked to make the station’s comeback a reality since 2006.

"I’m very excited to have WRBC broadcasting again," said Mouldon, who played "I’m Coming Out" by Diana Ross as the station’s symbolic, return song, marking a new beginning for WRBC.

Middleton, who was special guest for that new beginning, called Mouldon’s hard work and the rebirth of the station "terrific," and he advised all who have heard WRBC to tell students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends about the station that can be heard anytime day or night, all over the globe.

It will be about three weeks to a month before all of the disc jockeys are in place at the radio station, predicted Mouldon, who is sorting through requests from students who want to work at WRBC. Until then, the station will stream live around the clock with music, she said.

Jim Benes, faculty adviser for the radio station and a veteran morning editor at WBBM-AM, predicted WRBC on the Internet could have great potential.

"You’ve got Roosevelt graduates living all over the world and that means the station could attract a world-wide audience," said Benes. "Whatever the students want to make of it (WRBC), that’s what it can be," he added.

To listen to WRBC: The Blaze, visit www.roosevelt.edu/wrbc.