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wysu history

1967
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
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

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

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

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

1973
Began airing Saturday Night on Broadway with Don Elser

1974
Began 18-hour broadcast day

1976
Moved studios to newly built Cushwa Hall

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

1985
Morning Edition began
Robert Peterson named director

1987
Bill Foster passes away
Barbara Krauss named announcer/producer

1988
Ann Cliness named announcer/producer

1990
Began summer bus excursions to Blossom Music Center

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

1993
Ashtabula translator began operation at 90.1 FM

1995
New Wilmington translator began operation at 89.9

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

1997
Added political affairs program Commentary Cafe

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

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

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

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

2004
Installed digital equipment in the broadcast studios

2005
Ed Goist named development underwriter

2006
Began first strategic planning process since station made its debut

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

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