KWSC-FM – Wayne State College Nebraska

KWSC-FM: 91.9 the Cat

KWSC-FM is the official radio station of Wayne State College. Known on the air as “Your Music Authority, 91.9 the Cat,” KWSC is a fully equipped broadcast radio station that operates 24 hours a day during the school year.

The radio station is student managed and operated, providing hands-on experience on the air, in audio production, in planning special events and promotions, and in leadership (with guidance from a faculty advisor).

Station format and programming
Our station is divided into various genres within the AAA format (Adult Album Alternative) and reports weekly to the North American College Charts (NACC). Students work with music distributors to update KWSC with new releases from a variety of genres including pop, punk, metal, jazz, electronic, and world music.

The students on 91.9 the Cat also broadcast a full schedule of WSC home athletic events with student play-by-play announcers.

Managed and operated by students
Student directors make decisions about programming, promotional activities, staff scheduling, and other management and leadership functions. They also mentor less experienced students. Student management positions include general manager, program director, production director, sports director, music director, and promotion/special events director. In addition to looking great on your resume, these jobs provide valuable leadership and life experiences for your future.

Faculty adviser
Sean Ahern, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 402-375-7421

Hands-on learning

Find your voice

As a staff member, you can have regular weekly on-air hours, arranged around your schedule, and you’ll learn to produce award-winning promotional announcements, public service announcements, and other programming. Students interested in sports play-by-play can begin as early as their first or second semester.

Communication majors
Students majoring in Mass Communication (Agricultural Communication, Electronic Media, and Sports Media) start with Radio Production in the fall of their freshman year. This course introduces you to the equipment, how to use your voice, and how the radio business works. In the second half of the semester, you will be live on the air. You can then be a radio staff member for several semesters by taking the Radio Workshop class, which can be repeated each semester.

Non-communication majors
For students not pursuing a Mass Communication program with Radio Production and/or Workshop requirements, you are still eligible to take these classes as electives. Additionally, our minors in Electronic Media, Promotion and Media, and Online and Social Media also include Radio Production as part of the minor requirements. These minors pair well with other programs, including Journalism, Sport Management, Public Relations, Business, etc., which can be applied toward the 120 credit hours required to graduate from WSC.

View Communication Arts programs

Special events
Special events and public relations are important to any radio station, and on the staff of 91.9 the Cat you will participate in the planning, promotion, and staging of special events, large and small. These memorable events are fun, but also excellent learning experiences in public relations, working with a brand, and serving the community.

World College Radio Day: Celebrated in the fall, students take to the airwaves to broadcast alongside 700+ radio stations on six continents.
Vinylthon: Celebrated in the spring, students participate in a 48-hour marathon of strictly vinyl recordings.
International Clash Day: Celebrated in February, students celebrate the music of “the only band that matters,” The Clash! Music influenced by the iconic UK punk band is played throughout the day as the students promote the anti-racist, anti-fascist, and pro-creative ethos of The Clash.
24-hour stream on Twitch: Each April, KWSC hosts a 24-hour stream on Twitch. Students play a variety of games and raise awareness for Haven House, our local domestic violence shelter.

KWSC-FM is affiliated with College Broadcasters, Inc., the Northern Plains Collegiate Media Association, Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems. Students regularly travel to both regional and national events and are recognized for their accomplishments in audio production.

KWSC-FM uses RCS Zetta and GSelector, state-of-the-art automation and scheduling software used throughout the United States at terrestrial and satellite radio stations. Students record, edit and produce content in the Zetta for a range of programming including morning shows, live sports, and podcasts. Students also have access to Behringer soundboards and Adobe Audition in each of our production rooms. Students have access to the Associated Press News Wire for national and local news stories.