WTST, Tennessee State University Campus Radio, is a carrier current station
permitted by the FCC to broadcast to the main campus and the surrounding
areas. The entity transmits from the Learning Resource Center (LRC) on the
main campus. The signal is transmitted through three different sources: (1)
by internet access through www.tsuradio.com (2) by a stationary over-the-air
low power antenna grounded on the roof of Hale Hall at a frequency of
1600-AM, (3) and via Comcast campus cable on Channel 99 to all university
buildings receiving cable television.
WTST provides a varied music-driven format that transmits a 24-hour signal,
seven days a week utilizing “live” student announcers and Wave Station
broadcast automation software for overnights. The station’s format,
predominantly Urban, does change throughout the day to provide an
alternative to commercial radio, while satisfying the diverse student body.
The operations manager supervises a student staff in the areas of
programming, promotions, music, production, community/public affairs, news,
sports and sales/marketing. WTST features about 50 (fifty) different student
announcers each semester who are assigned weekly air shifts. Radio
activities include live sports programming and other remote campus events.
WTST-TSU Campus Radio was named “The Black College Radio Station of the
Year” at the BCR Annual Conference in Atlanta in April of 2002.
Tennessee State University
Department of Communications
The department has made strides toward the 21st Century by purchasing and
installing state-of-the-art equipment. Class sizes are fairly manageable,
providing an excellent student/teacher ratio. Students are accepted as
interns at local and broadcast sites and at similar entities in the state
and other parts of the country. Guest speakers come to campus to speak to
students and to share their experiences with future media practitioners. It
is the belief of the department that effective instruction and training
requires the blending of theoretical orientations with practical experience.
Thus, laboratory work is required in certain courses, and is designed to
instill in students requisite skills. These laboratories also give the
department an opportunity to provide community services through a number of
media or arts activities. For instance, at least two major theatre
productions are directed during the calendar year.
Leadership positions taken by students include serving as editor of the
campus newspaper and active involvement in activities of student
organizations. Students have shown their eagerness to supplement classroom
instruction with experiential learning by completing internship assignments
and appearing on stage as performers in theatre or forensics.
Graduates have gained employment in the media and related entities in the
private and public sector, while others have pursued studies in graduate
schools.
WTST, Tennessee State University Campus Radio, is a carrier current station
permitted by the FCC to broadcast to the main campus and the surrounding
areas. The entity transmits from the Learning Resource Center (LRC) on the
main campus. The signal is transmitted through three different sources: (1)
by internet access through www.tsuradio.com (2) by a stationary over-the-air
low power antenna grounded on the roof of Hale Hall at a frequency of
1600-AM, (3) and via Comcast campus cable on Channel 99 to all university
buildings receiving cable television.
