WGRE

WGRE is a non-commercial, educational FM radio station licensed to Greencastle, Indiana, and operated by DePauw University. Broadcasting at 91.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 1,000 watts, the station serves the Putnam County, Indiana area and provides a training ground for DePauw University students in broadcasting, journalism, and audio production. Its programming features a mix of alternative rock, indie rock, and specialty shows, alongside live coverage of DePauw Tigers athletic events and campus news.

History

The station signed on the air on November 11, 1949, as one of the first fully student-operated college radio stations in the United States, originating from a studio in the East College building on the DePauw University campus. Early broadcasts were limited to a few hours each evening, featuring classical music, news from the Associated Press, and discussions on campus life. In the 1960s, WGRE expanded its schedule and began broadcasting DePauw Tigers football and basketball games, building a strong connection with the local community in Greencastle, Indiana. A significant technical upgrade occurred in 1978 when the station transitioned to stereophonic sound broadcasting, enhancing its fidelity and reach across Putnam County, Indiana. Throughout the late 20th century, the station moved its studios to the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media, reflecting its integration into the university's communication studies curriculum and its role in training students for careers at major outlets like National Public Radio and ESPN.

Programming

WGRE's format is primarily a mix of alternative rock and indie rock, curated by student disc jockeys who select music from a library of new releases and classic tracks. Specialty programs diversify the schedule, including shows dedicated to electronic music, hip hop music, jazz, and blues, often hosted by students with particular musical expertise. The station provides live play-by-play coverage of many DePauw Tigers sports, including NCAA Division III football, basketball, and baseball games, in partnership with the North Coast Athletic Conference. Public affairs programming features interviews with DePauw University faculty, discussions on local issues in Greencastle, Indiana, and news segments produced in collaboration with the university's student newspaper. Special annual broadcasts include coverage of events like Little 5 and lectures by prominent figures such as Barack Obama and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Technical specifications

The station broadcasts on FM frequency 91.5 MHz from a transmitter site near the DePauw University campus, utilizing an effective radiated power of 1,000 watts and an antenna height above average terrain of 45 meters. This Class A facility, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission under facility ID 71610, provides primary coverage to Putnam County, Indiana, with a signal reaching portions of adjacent counties like Morgan County, Indiana and Hendricks County, Indiana. Studio operations are based in the Pulliam Center for Contemporary Media, employing digital audio consoles, Adobe Audition editing software, and a fully automated playout system for overnight hours. The station also streams its broadcast live online via its website, extending its reach to DePauw University alumni and listeners worldwide.

Student involvement

Operated almost entirely by the student body of DePauw University, WGRE serves as a practical laboratory for the communication studies department and other academic programs. Students hold all major staff positions, including general manager, program director, music director, and sports director, under the guidance of a faculty advisor from the Media Fellows program. Responsibilities encompass all aspects of station operation, from on-air hosting and playlist curation to engineering maintenance, news reporting, and securing underwriting from local businesses in Greencastle, Indiana. Many alumni have pursued careers in broadcasting at networks like CNN, CBS News, and Bloomberg Television, as well as in music industry roles at Spotify and Sony Music.

Awards and recognition

WGRE has received numerous accolades from intercollegiate broadcasting organizations, including several "Best College Radio Station" awards from the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. The station's news department has been honored by the Indiana Associated Press Media Editors for feature reporting and sports coverage, while individual student broadcasters have won awards for sportscasting from the National Sports Media Association. In 2019, the station was recognized by the College Media Association for its innovative online presence and community engagement initiatives. Its long-standing commitment to training has been cited by the Broadcast Education Association as a model for experiential learning in media.

Category:Radio stations in Indiana Category:DePauw University Category:College radio stations in the United States Category:Greencastle, Indiana Category:1949 establishments in Indiana