City Salem, Virginia Slogan "Classic For Tomorrow" First air date May 2, 2005 | Branding "100.3 WRKE" Frequency 100.3 FM MHz | |
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Broadcast area Salem, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia | ||
WRKE-LP is a Variety formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Salem, Virginia, serving Salem and Roanoke in Virginia. WRKE-LP is owned and operated by Roanoke College.
Contents
Background
WRKE is a student run, non-commercial radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to Roanoke College. WRKE is a advised under a professional advisory board. The station manager and adviser is Rick Mattioni, Elijah Wilhelm is the station's program director, the assistant program director is Jillian Thompson, Kaitlyn Mason is the music director and Natalie Whitney is the station's news and information director. The station plays on an automated system playing classic-current rock when student DJ's are not on air. Student shows vary from sports-talk, alternative, pop, or hip-hop.
History
The station got its start in 2005 when Jim Goodwin formed a club to establish a radio station on campus. Equipment was obtained and the station went on the air November 2005 with music played via computer automation until students returned after winter break to establish programming and shows. The station is building a fan base on campus and beyond as far as its low power transmitter can carry. While the broadcast radius is a mere 3 miles, this covers most of the Roanoke College community.
Programming
The station is DJ'd by Roanoke College students throughout the week during the academic year, and the station plays on an automated system playing alternative music when student DJ's are not on air. Student shows vary from sports-talk, alternative, pop, or hip-hop.
News Now Special Reports
News Now Special Reports is a monthly show featuring interviews from people of important background, including celebrities such as George Takei on important, and sometimes controversial topics. The show also features special coverage of major news events, like the election night special coverage which ran for 7 hours. The show is run by News & Information Director Elijah Wilhelm.