WRGC to begin broadcasts by end of this semester
Submitted by Nicole Field
A new National Public Radio style radio station will air this March from Georgia College’s West Campus. The radio will serve a large section of Middle Georgia.
“When you think WRGC, think Radio Georgia College,” said Harry Battson, associate vice president for strategic communications at Georgia College.
The new station, WRGC 88.3 FM will reach more than 60,000 citizens in the counties surrounding Baldwin, not including Georgia College students.
“Georgia College received a grant to purchase equipment for the station which requires the station to be on the air and broadcasting by March 31,” Battson said.
Submitted by University Communications The new WRGC studio at West Campus. The station is funded by a grant given to Georgia College and will have a 1,500 square mile radius reaching to Eatonton and almost to Macon.
“This was a perfect niche for public radio. The area was not being served,” said Bill Wendt, manager of television services at Georgia College.
In contrast to the student radio station, WGUR 88.9 FM, which is confined closer to campus, WRGC will cover over 1,500 square miles reaching Eatonton and almost to Macon.
“Some of this area can receive public radio from WMUM in Macon,” Battson said, “but the majority of people have difficulty receiving reception. We are filling a void in people’s ability to receive public radio.”
The official airdate is currently uncertain. The university may seek a 90 day extension if any technical difficulties arise prior to the March 31 deadline. Currently, the university is conducting a search for an operations manager for the station.
Although located on West Campus, WRGC will not be student-run like WGUR. The operations manager will produce and manage the radio station and arrange for hosts for any locally produced radio programming. These hosts will be interns, volunteers or others associated with the university.
“WGUR will not have any changes. The changes are in the University Communications Department. They have obtained a license from the FCC for a 5,000 watt radio station, WRGC,” said Angela Criscoe, faculty advisor of WGUR.
WRGC will be a professionally run public radio station and an affiliate of the Georgia Public Broadcasting network. Even though this new station does not provide immediate experience for the students of Georgia College, it may be beneficial to students looking for future endeavors in a radio internship.
“This will provide an opportunity for students to get involved with a professional station if they’re interested in radio communications,” Battson said.
Even though WRGC will not be as easily accessible to students, it will provide Georgia College with exposure. The radio station studio will be located on West Campus in the building next to the pool. This space, which is 1,000 square feet, has been remodeled in preparation to house WRGC’s studios.
“We think it will be providing a great community service and at the same time give Georgia College an opportunity to promote some of the special things that are happening here,” Battson said.
The station will also give the college a chance to rebroadcast concerts or important lectures that have been delivered on campus. In addition to helping Georgia College, this is an aid to the surrounding communities that do not have access to news broadcast radio stations.
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