Fayobserver.com October 9, 2013 FSU's online radio station gives students hands-on experience By Brian Dukes<http://www.fayobserver.com/help/staff/brian-dukes> Standing inside the state-of-the-art Bronco-iRadio studio on Fayetteville State University's campus, it's hard to imagine the humble beginnings of the student-run station. In 2009, Ray Thomas had a vision. But Thomas, the operations director of the Internet-based station and faculty adviser to the students who run the station, also had a lot of work ahead of him. The station at that time consisted of a broken sound board, a nonfunctional computer and a supply closet. On Oct. 10, 2010, after an exhaustive renovation fueled by federal Title III funding, Bronco-iRadio began its online broadcast in the station located in FSU's broadcast building. "It's definitely rewarding to take an idea and see it come to fruition," Thomas said. "We have an incredible facility. And we're continuing to grow, improve and increase our brand." The station plays a mix of music - hip-hop, soul, gospel, R&B, classic rock and Motown - through a variety of student-run programs. The station can be found online at bronco-iradio.com and also has become a destination for independent acts looking for a home to debut their music. Thomas, with 30 years of broadcasting experience, knows about branding. Before coming to work at FSU, Thomas, an Emerson College graduate, worked at radio stations in Los Angeles, Boston and Durham. Thomas left Durham in 1991 to work as morning show host and interim program director at WZFX Foxy 99 in Fayetteville. Thomas also has worked for KISS FM and WRAL in Raleigh, and Magic 106.9 in Fayetteville. "I feel I'm in a unique position to offer insight, training and guidance to the students who run our station," said Thomas. "They get the kind of hands-on training that prepares them for broadcast careers." Students get training to help them confidently operate every facet of the station, Thomas said, including learning how to use and maintain the station's equipment. They also learn programming, production, sales, marketing, photography, videography, music and media design. On a recent visit to the studio, FSU students Mike Staton, a sociology major, and Charnell Harris, a communications major, helped Thomas host his variety show. Between songs, the trio bantered about popular topics of the day. Staton, the show's producer, made sure the show stayed organized and on track, while Harris updated the station's Facebook status. For Staton, working at the station has given him an inside track in the industry while challenging his time-management skills. "You get on-the-job training here, and radio is something I've always wanted to do," said Staton, who is a senior. "But it's a real balancing act between classes and being here and getting this unique experience." The station, Thomas said, is open to students of all majors - not just broadcast or communications majors - as well as community volunteers and non-students. A staff of about 30 - students and volunteers under Thomas' supervision - run the station. For Harris, also a senior, the station has become a passion. Few days go by when Harris isn't the first one in the studio at 7:30 a.m. and the last one leaving at 10 p.m. "I live here. My friends and family don't bother looking for me at my dorm room. They just come here," said Harris. "I want to own and run my own station one day." Harris may not own Bronco-iRadio, but as the station's general manager and program director, her responsibilities include helping to create, promote and manage such events as the second annual Bronco-iRadio iMusic Festival, which took place Sept. 21. The festival was on the FSU campus and featured performances by several independent artists of all musical genres. These artists have enthusiastically supported the student-run station, Harris and Thomas said. "We have an entire show (iFlow) dedicated to them (independent artists), and they have been happy to find a platform for their music," said Harris. "We get submissions from all over the country because they know that we're going to play their music." Thomas said the station consistently has listeners tuning in via the Internet from as far as Hawaii, Alaska and Germany. That's primarily because of FSU's diverse alumni, many of whom have ties to the military, Thomas said. "The alumni tune in and support us because they've seen the product we put out," said Thomas. "They hear what we're capable of, what our focus is, and they've bought in - just like the artists we play." Beyond supporting indie artists, offering hands-on training to students and creating a global brand, Thomas said the station also serves a more abstract purpose. "We create soundtracks for people's lives," Thomas said. "It's about the stories we tell. That's what brings a smile to my face - knowing the impact we have on someone's life, and knowing that our students are buying into that." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.