The students at Alcorn State University’s (ASU) Mass Communications Department have joined forces with WPRL 91.7 FM (Alcorn’s radio station) to display their talents in the form of student radio shows. The radio shows present different genres of music from R&B, Rap, Gospel, Pop, etc. The shows, which are 1 hour long, can be heard every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
In order to qualify for a radio show each student must first take a class entitled CO 218 Broadcast Announcing which is offered in the Fall of that academic year. During this course each student is taught the nuances of how to properly manage a radio show from how to create a program log, how to properly control vocal distribution, how to present PSAs (Public Service Announcements), how to present the News, how to prepare commercials and how to work the console (the board).
After successfully passing each section of the course with no less than a grade of ‘C’ the student will be allowed to enroll in CO 368 Radio Production Laboratory in the Spring semester of the academic year. The course offers 8 to 13 live radio shows which gives each student a plethora of hands-on experience. Michael Willliams, a Junior Broadcast/Mass Communications major from Jackson, Mississippi, stated, “So far this semester I’ve had 4 shows and I am thoroughly enjoying it. The radio shows give me an opportunity to thoroughly express myself.”
With the exposure given by both courses, each student, once they’ve graduated, will be able to apply to any radio station in the country with a full understanding of the business of radio. Larry Sanders, an Assistant Professor of Mass Communications at Alcorn State University, stated, “It makes me so proud to see these students take these classes and have such an amazing interest in this field. I am very confident in the next generation to carry on the mantle of Mass Communications.”
For more information about Alcorn’s Mass Communications Department contact Larry Sanders at (601) 877-6632 or lsanders@alcorn.edu.
