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WYSU History

WYSU-FM Highlights

1967
Red Square Don Elser, Steve Grcevich, and YSU President Albert Pugsley propose a fine arts radio station for Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley Community

1969
Red Square At 10:00 a.m. October 23, WYSU-FM signs on the air at 88.5 MHZ as a charter member of National Public Radio, broadcasting 12 hours daily from its studios in room 310 of the former Valley Park Motel on Wick Avenue.

Original staff members were:
Steve Grcevich, Director of Telecommunications
Bill Foster, Announcer/Record Librarian
Polly Golden, Secretary
Lew Moler, Chief Engineer
Richard Stevens, Program Director

Red Square Began airing All Things Considered
Red Square Aired first edition of Folk Festival with Charles Darling

1971
Red Square Became part of the first radio network using satellite delivery of programs

1972
Red Square Aired first edition of Now’s The Time with Martin Berger

1973
Red Square Began airing Saturday Night on Broadway with Don Elser

1974
Red Square Began 18-hour broadcast day

1976
Red Square Moved studios to newly built Cushwa Hall

1980
Red Square Began 24-hour broadcast day
Red Square First on-air fundraiser

1985
Red Square Morning Edition began
Red Square Robert Peterson named director

1987
Red Square Bill Foster passes away
Red Square Barbara Krauss named announcer/producer

1988
Red Square Ann Cliness named announcer/producer

1990
Red Square Began summer bus excursions to Blossom Music Center

1991
Red Square Began operation of new 50,000 watt transmitter with antenna moved to WKBN tower
Red Square Aired live coverage of the first Gulf War

1993
Red Square Ashtabula translator began operation at 90.1 FM

1995
Red Square New Wilmington translator began operation at 89.9

1996
Red Square Added state-of-the-art digital editing equipment
Red Square Sponsored first Mad About The Arts
Red Square Automated overnight programs

1997
Red Square Added political affairs program Commentary Cafe

1998
Red Square Michael Cervone named announcer/producer
Red Square Improved New Wilmington signal by moving translator to 97.5 FM

2000
Red Square First station-sponsored European tour: Great Britain
Red Square Gary Sexton named director of broadcasting
Red Square Added website & streaming audio
Red Square Initiated Robert W. Peterson Scholarship

2001
Red Square David Luscher named associate director
Red Square Aired live coverage of 9/11
Red Square Expanded news programming

2003
Red Square Began broadcasting Youngstown 2010 simulcasts with PBS 45 & 49
Red Square Added A Prairie Home Companion

2004
Red Square Installed digital equipment in the broadcast studios

2005
Red Square Ed Goist named development underwriter

2006
Red Square Began first strategic planning process since station made its debut

2007
Red Square Began broadcasting in HD (digital)
Red Square Began Lincoln Avenue community affairs program

2008
Red Square Added all-classical HD channel
Red Square Added all-classical Internet stream
Red Square Big plans for the future

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