Members of 90.3 WMSC, Montclair State University’s radio station, all came together to celebrate World College Radio Day.
This 34-hour event spanning three separate days covered all sorts of events, each with a love for all things radio, and of course, music.
(Left to right): Kyle Pepitone, Kenny Horn and Mike Foley work during “The Morning Buzz” show.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
Many of the students were running on less than three hours of sleep according to associate program director Ben Petruk, a junior journalism major. Some of the students even slept on the floor of the WMSC office.
Special guests included Paterson Mayor André Sayegh, members of the PIX11 News team and two featured artists from growing bands.
“The Morning Buzz,” WMSC’s hard newscast and talk show, began at 7 a.m. and broadcasted from both the recording studio and a table outside of the School of Communication and Media (SCM) in near-freezing weather. It was manned by the show’s producer, Kenny Horn, a senior television and digital media major, and assistant producer, Kyle Pepitone, a senior animation major. Both Horn and Pepitone had purple fingertips by the time the broadcast finished at 9 a.m.
Jared Tauber (left) and Kyle Pepitone (right) broadcast from outside SCM.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
During “The Morning Buzz,” Anabella Poland, WMSC’s general manager, told the students that the PIX11 News helicopter was about to fly over the SCM to greet them. Everyone waved, danced and cheered as the helicopter hovered over the university.
The PIX11 News helicopter flys over the School of Communication and Media.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion.
Members of WMSC wave to the PIX11 News helicopter, which flew by the School of Communication and Media.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
Shortly before 9 a.m., Horn was surprised by Sayegh, who guest-starred on the show. Horn received a special proclamation certificate, which officially recognized World College Radio Day as a day of special observance for the city of Paterson.
Kenny Horn (right) with Paterson Mayor André Sayegh (left).
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
After “The Morning Buzz” had ended, the team’s makeshift karaoke golf cart was set and ready to drive around campus. Members of the station sang songs by Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi and Bob Dylan along with other students and faculty around campus.
(Left to right): Celine Da Silva, Kaya Maciak and Tara Cicchetti dance in the makeshift karaoke cart.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
Around 11 a.m., WMSC had two special guest stars perform live music: Miles Dellaha of the band See Plus and John Anthony Rodriguez of the band 54 Ultra.
John Anthony Rodriguez, part of the band 54 Ultra, performs his original songs live on WMSC.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion.
Miles Dellaha, part of the band See Plus, sings his original song “I’m So Cold.”
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
Jared Tauber practices on drums in the WMSC recording studio.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
With time left over, members of WMSC played some of their original songs, as well as covers of songs such as “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day. Tara Cicchetti, a senior sociology major, Jake Goetz, a junior television and digital media major, along with Petruk and Pepitone, all performed live on the air.
Other events were held throughout the day, too. Notable ones included Battle of the Vinyls, an airing of the pre-recorded original musical, “The Nightmare Before World College Radio Day,” put together by the WMSC students, a Dungeons & Dragons tournament and a dodgeball tournament held in the Student Recreation Center.
Yazemin Yilmaz during the dodgeball tournament.
Photo courtesy of Ryan McWalters
“The Morning Buzz” talk show is broadcasted from the WMSC Studio.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
Jake Goetz, a junior television and digital media major, plays some of his original songs live on WMSC.
John LaRosa | The Montclarion
Students at the station worked tirelessly in preparing and executing the event, but despite their exhaustion, nearly every face was accompanied by a smile all throughout the day. For most people there, radio and music is their passion, and that undoubtedly shined through during World College Radio Day.
