West Virginia University at Parkersburg station to celebrate College Radio Day

PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg next week will join in on a national celebration of college radio.

College Radio Day will be held Oct. 5, but WVU-P and its radio station WPKM 96.3 The Beet will offer activities and special content throughout the week.

"College Radio Day is a time to showcase the great college radio stations of the United States," said Olivia Reeder, coordinator for communication and media studies at WVU-P. "It's a place where a lot of people who don't have a voice anywhere else can really talk and get their opinions out there. They have a place, they have a voice, and they get to be heard."

Reeder said WPKM's participation is somewhat unique.

"We're the only community college in West Virginia that has a radio station," she said. "We're doing an entire college theme. All of our DJs -- who include current college students, graduates, a few faculty members -- they're doing college-themed shows."

Station manager Jeremy Harrison said there will be simulcasts from the national College Day Radio that will be shared with all of the participating stations. Joan Jett and Kenny Laguna of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts have been named as official "ambassadors" of College Radio Day and will be featured in much of the national content.

"Every college radio that is participating will be broadcasting that same show at the same time," he said.

In addition to its on-air content next week, the station will feature music trivia for students, faculty and staff on Tuesday, and will hold a karaoke event on Thursday.

WPKM, which began in 2014, is a low-power FM station which reaches Parkersburg, Belpre and almost to Rockport. The station also can be streamed online.

Harrison said he has received messages from listeners in Africa and has received music submissions from Germany.

"We stream world-wide," he said.

Student DJ Kyleigh Hawes said one of the benefits of college radio is the ability to feature local bands and artists, something less likely to happen with mainstream radio stations.

"I like that there is a lot of different variety," said student DJ Jonathan Mattingly. "It gives a voice not just to students, but to faculty and the community."

For more information on College Radio Day, visit https://www.collegeradio.org/college-radio-day/.

For more information on WPKM and its program lineup, or to live-stream the station, visit http://wpkmradio.com/.