WLUW
Encyclopedia
WLUW is a college radio station owned and operated by Loyola University Chicago
, serving Chicago, Illinois
and its northern suburb
s. WLUW was founded by Jim Wagner and Michael Russo in the 1970s and they ran the station until Loyola University offered more funding and support. In the 1980s the station was guided by General Manager Wayne Magdziarz and into the mid 1990s by Tony Compton, Jim Lemon and various student program directors including Anna Consalvo, Jennifer Prietz and Jeff Grossman, with ongoing support from Dr. Sammy R. Danna, Professor of Communication at Loyola.
Formerly known as "High Energy 88-7 FM" and then simply "Energy 88-7"; in the mid-1990s the station changed radio format
s to 88.7 Listener Supported Community Radio. Loyola University Chicago
ceased funding WLUW in 2002, turning over operational control of the station to WBEZ. During this period, WLUW was known as "Independent Community Radio" and feature an eclectic selection of music, specialty music shows, and independent talk programming, including Democracy Now. WLUW had two full-time staffers (Craig Kois was Station Manager and Shawn Campbell Program Director) and a volunteer staff of nearly 200 during the years 2002 to 2007. Through much effort by the staff and WBEZ, WLUW became financially independent by 2007. During this period, WLUW was known for its Record Fairs. Two were held each year; one a stand-alone event in April, and one at the Pitchfork Music Festival
(formerly the Intonation Music Festival
).
On July 13, 2007, an article (Back To School) in the Chicago Sun-Times
revealed that Loyola
terminated its relationship with WBEZ and was to take back control of the station in June 2008. The future of the station's programming was uncertain at this point, as reported in Time Out Chicago (WLUW: Now with less community?) and Chicagoist (WLUW: WTF?). Loyola
posted some information here. . In July of 2007, both Kois and Campbell were relieved from their positions by WBEZ, although who directed that move is disputed. WBEZ employee Kristina Stevens ran the station from that time until Loyola took over the station July 1, 2008.
Before and after the takeover, some volunteers, including former Program Director Shawn Campbell, left the station to form competitor Chirp Radio the Chicago Independent Radio Project
, which has yet to secure a broadcasting license. The volunteers who had organized the record fairs took them with to benefit Chirp
Stevens continued to run the station for Loyola from July 2008 to January 2009. In January 2009, WLUW hired a new, permanent station manager, Danielle Basci. In the fall of 2009, WLUW moved its headquarters from Damen Hall on the Lake Shore Campus to the Terry Student Center located downtown on E. Pearson St. at the Water Tower Campus. Now with more students and less community members, the sound has changed somewhat, but still is largely the same as during Kois and Campbell's tenure from 2002-07.
While most of WLUW's current programming is an independent radio format with various DJs, there are many community, genre, news and specialty shows, including:
radio format (High Energy 88-7 FM and then Energy 88-7 FM), modeled after commercial radio stations such as B-96 in Chicago, with a full staff of student disc jockeys and news anchors/reporters. During this period, WLUW broadcasted from the Loyola Water Tower Campus Communication building at 26 E. Pearson in Chicago.
Many notables from that era were Station Manager, morning man, and "Super CFL" Creator Jym Geraci, Denise Jerger, Wayne Magdziarz, Sue Cavi, SJ Peters, Jim Lemon, Art Therios, Tom Gaines, Ed Varga, Joe Weiss, Lorraine Kleba, Tim Garrity, Vince Parisi, Chris Kerr, Joe Blaney, Patty Sands, Bobby Brady (Rob Creighton), Tony Compton, Billy Levere, Steve Burrell, P J Bozak, Griff Madigan (whose father was the then Vice President of the Chicago Tribune), Jim Domo (Jim Domalgowski), Todd Jackson, Bill Rancic of "The Apprentice" fame, Karen Karas, Brandon Cox, Jerry Riles, Jeff Andrews (Grossman as listed above), Adam Wilde and J R Rizzo.
In the early 1990s, WLUW attracted the attention of a few major recording artists who sat down for on-air interviews at the Pearson street studio. Chris Kerr visited with the Pet Shop Boys, while Tim Garrity interviewed Curt Smith from Tears for Fears, Erasure, The Information Society, as well Donny Osmond, who was making a come back with his hit single "Soldier of Love." These interviews were highlighted in the Summer and Winter 1990 editions of Radio Chicago Magazine, which further enhanced WLUW's reputation as an influential college radio station in the Chicago market.
Many of its alumni went on to professional broadcasting careers, including:
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
, serving Chicago, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and its northern suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s. WLUW was founded by Jim Wagner and Michael Russo in the 1970s and they ran the station until Loyola University offered more funding and support. In the 1980s the station was guided by General Manager Wayne Magdziarz and into the mid 1990s by Tony Compton, Jim Lemon and various student program directors including Anna Consalvo, Jennifer Prietz and Jeff Grossman, with ongoing support from Dr. Sammy R. Danna, Professor of Communication at Loyola.
Formerly known as "High Energy 88-7 FM" and then simply "Energy 88-7"; in the mid-1990s the station changed radio format
Radio format
A radio format or programming format not to be confused with broadcast programming describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. Radio formats are frequently employed as a marketing tool, and constantly evolve...
s to 88.7 Listener Supported Community Radio. Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
ceased funding WLUW in 2002, turning over operational control of the station to WBEZ. During this period, WLUW was known as "Independent Community Radio" and feature an eclectic selection of music, specialty music shows, and independent talk programming, including Democracy Now. WLUW had two full-time staffers (Craig Kois was Station Manager and Shawn Campbell Program Director) and a volunteer staff of nearly 200 during the years 2002 to 2007. Through much effort by the staff and WBEZ, WLUW became financially independent by 2007. During this period, WLUW was known for its Record Fairs. Two were held each year; one a stand-alone event in April, and one at the Pitchfork Music Festival
Pitchfork Music Festival
The Pitchfork Music Festival is an annual summer music festival organized by Pitchfork Media and held in Union Park in Chicago, IL. The festival, which is normally held over three days in July, focuses primarily on artists and bands from alternative rock, rap & hip-hop, electronica, and dance...
(formerly the Intonation Music Festival
Intonation Music Festival
The Intonation Music Festival was a yearly summer music festival held at in Chicago, Illinois.-2005:The festival was held on July 16 - July 17, 2005...
).
On July 13, 2007, an article (Back To School) in the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
revealed that Loyola
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
terminated its relationship with WBEZ and was to take back control of the station in June 2008. The future of the station's programming was uncertain at this point, as reported in Time Out Chicago (WLUW: Now with less community?) and Chicagoist (WLUW: WTF?). Loyola
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago is a private Jesuit research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1870 under the title St...
posted some information here. . In July of 2007, both Kois and Campbell were relieved from their positions by WBEZ, although who directed that move is disputed. WBEZ employee Kristina Stevens ran the station from that time until Loyola took over the station July 1, 2008.
Before and after the takeover, some volunteers, including former Program Director Shawn Campbell, left the station to form competitor Chirp Radio the Chicago Independent Radio Project
The Chicago Independent Radio Project
The Chicago Independent Radio Project is a non-profit organization that operates a community radio station currently accessible via its Web site....
, which has yet to secure a broadcasting license. The volunteers who had organized the record fairs took them with to benefit Chirp
Stevens continued to run the station for Loyola from July 2008 to January 2009. In January 2009, WLUW hired a new, permanent station manager, Danielle Basci. In the fall of 2009, WLUW moved its headquarters from Damen Hall on the Lake Shore Campus to the Terry Student Center located downtown on E. Pearson St. at the Water Tower Campus. Now with more students and less community members, the sound has changed somewhat, but still is largely the same as during Kois and Campbell's tenure from 2002-07.
While most of WLUW's current programming is an independent radio format with various DJs, there are many community, genre, news and specialty shows, including:
- Abstract Science http://www.abstractscience.net (electronic music), hosted by Chris Widman, Luke Stokes and Henry Self, on Thu 10pm
- Dimension Latina, a Sunday afternoon Spanish language public service and Tropical music program, produced and directed for the last 15 years by Juan Carlos Borja Perez, who succeeded Mario Chapman as program director, on Sun 2pm
- The Drinking and Writing Brewery, hosted by Neo-FuturistsNeo-FuturistsThe Neo-Futurists are an experimental theater troupe founded by Greg Allen in 1988. Neo-Futurism, inspired by the Italian Futurist movement from the early 20th century, is based on an aesthetics of honesty, speed and brevity.-Aesthetic:...
Steve Mosqueda and Sean Benjamin on first Sun of month 6pm - Echo Beach (dub), hosted by Turntable Terrorist Terry, on Fri 2am
- Everything Offbeat (ska), hosted by Chuck Wren since 1989, on Sun 9pm
- Gospel Memories, hosted by Bob Marovich, on Sat 10am
- The Hip Hop Project, hosted by Cosm Roks, on Sat 8pm
- Labor Express RadioLabor Express RadioLabor Express Radio is a weekly labor news and current affairs radio program that broadcasts every Monday morning on WLUW, a formerly-independent community radio station in Chicago which has recently reverted to its original status as the radio station for Loyola University in Chicago...
, a program devoted to issues of concern to working people locally, nationally and internationally. Describes itself as “Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program” and “News by working people for working people.” Airs on Mon 10am. - Live From the Heartland (local talk topics), hosted by Michael James and Katy Hogan, on Sat 9am
- The New Orleans Music Hour, "Chicago's weekly Mardi Gras party" hosted by Tom Jackson on Sat 1pm
- The Old Style Show (60s and 70s rock) hosted by Kate and Rachel on Wed 12am
- Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago's Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine http://www.outsidetheloopradio.com, with Mike Stephen on Thu 10am
- Radio One Chicago (Chicago's local music scene), hosted by many DJs over the years, on Thu 6pm
- Reality Radio (hardcore and hard), hosted by Kenny Kicks, on Tue 10pm
- Reggae Vibes, hosted by Slacky J, on Fri 6pm
- The Retrospective, a documentary program focused on the history of rock music. It features band interviews and song selections. Hosted by Steve Damien
- Rock Sin Anestesia (latin alternative) on Wed 10pm
- Somebody Else's Troubles (the best in CBGB), hosted by Tom Jackson, on Sat 11am
- Sunday Sports Shootout http://www.sundaysportsshootout.com, Sports Talk at 11am Sundays hosted by Darrell "The Mole" Horwitz
Previous Format
In the 1980s through the mid 1990s, the station had a contemporary hit and dance musicDance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
radio format (High Energy 88-7 FM and then Energy 88-7 FM), modeled after commercial radio stations such as B-96 in Chicago, with a full staff of student disc jockeys and news anchors/reporters. During this period, WLUW broadcasted from the Loyola Water Tower Campus Communication building at 26 E. Pearson in Chicago.
Many notables from that era were Station Manager, morning man, and "Super CFL" Creator Jym Geraci, Denise Jerger, Wayne Magdziarz, Sue Cavi, SJ Peters, Jim Lemon, Art Therios, Tom Gaines, Ed Varga, Joe Weiss, Lorraine Kleba, Tim Garrity, Vince Parisi, Chris Kerr, Joe Blaney, Patty Sands, Bobby Brady (Rob Creighton), Tony Compton, Billy Levere, Steve Burrell, P J Bozak, Griff Madigan (whose father was the then Vice President of the Chicago Tribune), Jim Domo (Jim Domalgowski), Todd Jackson, Bill Rancic of "The Apprentice" fame, Karen Karas, Brandon Cox, Jerry Riles, Jeff Andrews (Grossman as listed above), Adam Wilde and J R Rizzo.
In the early 1990s, WLUW attracted the attention of a few major recording artists who sat down for on-air interviews at the Pearson street studio. Chris Kerr visited with the Pet Shop Boys, while Tim Garrity interviewed Curt Smith from Tears for Fears, Erasure, The Information Society, as well Donny Osmond, who was making a come back with his hit single "Soldier of Love." These interviews were highlighted in the Summer and Winter 1990 editions of Radio Chicago Magazine, which further enhanced WLUW's reputation as an influential college radio station in the Chicago market.
Many of its alumni went on to professional broadcasting careers, including:
- Maureen MaherMaureen MaherMaureen Maher is an American television news reporter and correspondent, currently TV host of 48 Hours Mystery.Maher was born in the state of Michigan, just outside of Detroit. Her birth parents were high school seniors unable to provide for Maureen and subsequently giving her up for adoption. In...
, news correspondent with CBS NewsCBS NewsCBS News is the news division of American television and radio network CBS. The current chairman is Jeff Fager who is also the executive producer of 60 Minutes, while the current president of CBS News is David Rhodes. CBS News' flagship program is the CBS Evening News, hosted by the network's main...
' 48 Hours48 Hours (TV series)48 Hours is a documentary and news program broadcast on the CBS television network since January 19, 1988. The program originally presented documentaries of various events related to a particular subject occurring within a 48-hour period, and is credited as one of the first to air a "reality show"...
- Susan Carlson, now a WBBM-TV CBS 2 Anchorwoman in ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
- Diane Carbonara, an award-winning news producer for WFLD-TV in ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and a former anchorwoman with WIFR-TV in Rockford, IllinoisRockford, IllinoisRockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
and WMTV-TV in Madison, WisconsinMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
- Jeff Hagedorn, a play-by-play announcer for the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
and Houston CometsHouston CometsThe Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
- Lou Canellis, a ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
TV sports and entertainment personality with Chicagoland TelevisionChicagoland TelevisionChicagoland Television, better known as CLTV, is a 24-hour regional cable news television channel based in Chicago. CLTV broadcasts from the WGN-TV studios on the Northwest side of Chicago and is owned by Tribune Company.-History:...
(CLTV) and WLS-TVWLS-TVWLS-TV, virtual channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The station operates their full power digital operations on UHF channel 44, with their digital fill-in translator on VHF channel...
- Matt Smith, is Chief Spokesman for Mayor Daley's Department of Streets & Sanitation in Chicago and the former Director of Newsflow Analysis for Clinton-Gore '92.
- Brian WheelerBrian Wheeler"Brain Wheeler" is also a British dwarf actor who appeared in BBC children's show Trapped!.Brian Wheeler, commonly known by the nickname "Wheels", is the play-by-play radio announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association and host of a daily radio program.-Early...
, a Portland, OregonPortland, OregonPortland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
sports personality who is in his tenth season as the radio play-by-play voice of the Portland Trail Blazers(Link: http://www.nba.com/blazers/fans/brian_wheeler.html )
- Mercedes Soler (Martinez), former news anchor/correspondent for Univision's Premier Impacto and now one of the successful Florida-based authors of the book "The Miami Bombshells: Dish and Tell."
- Tomas MartinezTomás MartínezTomás Martínez Guerrero was the President of Nicaragua between 15 November 1857 and 1 March 1867. From 24 June 1857 to 19 October or 15 November 1857, he acted jointly as the 34th President in a dual Junta with the Liberal Máximo Jerez formed on 23 January.Born in Nagarote, he was put in power by...
, Vice President/General Manager for Radio Caracol 1260 AM Miami (WSUA)
- Tony Compton, Former WLUW station manager and afternoon jock
- Jym Geraci, Imaging/Production Director at KSTP-FM in Minneapolis. Former WXLC-FM (Hot 102.3) on-air talent and manager. Beloved WLUW Station manager in the 1980s.
- Joe Blaney, Associate Professor of Communication at Illinois State University, former on-air talent at WXLC-FM (Hot 102.3). Currently on-air talent for B104 in Bloomington-Normal.
- Ed Varga, Former WXLC-FM (Hot 102.3) on-air talent
- Tim Garrity, Former WXLC-FM (Hot 102.3) on-air talent
- Robyne RobinsonRobyne RobinsonRobyne Robinson is an award-winning American television journalist and entrepreneur. She ran as a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota in 2010.-Biography:...
, Co-anchor for Fox affiliate KMSP in Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Edna Ho Director of Chicago's Municipal TV Programming and Executive Producer of the program "Chicago Works."
- Ernie ManouseErnie ManouseErnie Manouse is an American television host, radio personality, writer and producer. He currently hosts the interview show InnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse, produced by HoustonPBS...
, Emmy nominated and Katie Award winning TV Interviewer/Producer of the PBS show InnerVIEWS with Ernie ManouseInnerVIEWS with Ernie ManouseInnerVIEWS with Ernie Manouse is a television interview show, hosted by Ernie Manouse who also serves as series producer, along with Director Matthew Brawley. The show is produced by KUHT Houston and is syndicated by the National Educational Telecommunications Association to other PBS stations...
- Amy Sweezey, broadcast meteorologist at WESH-TV (NBC) in Orlando, Florida.
- Jeff Grossman (Jeff Andrews) is the Owner and President of Sheet Happens Prep. Most recently morning man at WINK-FM/Ft Myers.
- Jerry Riles sports reporter, columnist, air personality, program director and producer with such companies as CLTV, WSCR-AM and WVON-FM.
- Steve Niketopoulos Production Coordinator at CAN TV Chicago.
- Rob Creighton Program Director and Morning Show Host at 97-3 YES! FM (KLZK) in Lubbock, Texas.
- Sue Cavi Production Assistant WBBM-TV News, PIA Radio Network, Voice Talent.