HOUGHTON - The WMTU radio station has undergone a complete makeover, creating a greater presence on campus while bringing the best sound quality possible to the community.
To commemorate the refurbished booth, Michigan Technological University's student-run radio station will host an open house from noon to 8 p.m. Friday in Wadsworth Hall G03W. The public is welcome to attend.
Student George Olszewski said the radio station booth has undergone a complete transformation, including a new layout, paint, equipment, countertop and lighting.
Article Photos
Stacey Kukkonen/Daily Mining Gazette
Left, students George Olszewski and Max Nestorowich broadcast using new equipment at WMTU Tuesday evening. To commemorate the refurbished booth, Michigan Technological University’s student-run radio station will host an open house from noon to 8 p.m., Friday in Wadsworth G03W. The public is welcome to attend.
"This is the most drastic change since we've been in Wads," he said.
The idea to revamp the booth was born a few years ago. In the previous layout, the hosts' backs were to the window. Now, a new countertop allows the DJ to face both windows, allowing them to see what's going on in the building.
"We just got back on the air during Winter Carnival, so I had alumni stop in during my show," said student Max Nestorowich. "People like to pop their heads in and it's actually pretty cool."
Olszewski said WMTU will have better sound quality while being more dependable. The new sound board cost $16,000 and uses the same setup as audio-centric facilities.
"Rather than just plugging devices into something, we can run it over a network, similar to how computers run," said student Josh Martin. "This is what professional stations are doing now. We're not at the end of a trend. We're toward the front of it."
WMTU is funded through the Student Activities Fund. Renovations cost about $27,000, Olszewski said.
During the open house, members will be hosting station tours and broadcasting live.
WMTU is one of the largest student groups on campus, boasting 100 hosts each week and 40 staff members.
"A lot of student organizations on campus are focused within one academic group," Nestorowich said. "At WMTU, we're all across the spectrum as far as what kind of crowd we draw. Most people join out of interest." For example, Nestorowich is a chemical engineering major, Olszewski is a business major and Martin is in audio production.
Anyone is welcome to join the organization, and even community members dabble with WMTU.
The group hosts meetings at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the station in Wadsworth Hall. WMTU broadcasts at 91.9 FM and is located below the cafeteria on the west side of the building.
Parking will be available on the east side of the main doors for the open house.