WMSC (FM)

WMSC is a multi-award winning college radio station located at and owned by Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey, United States. WMSC broadcasts at 90.3 MHz, online at www.wmscradio.com and is also available on the iHeartRadio App & Platforms. WMSC is operated by the students of Montclair State University with university administrator Anabella Poland serving as its current general manager.

WMSC

Upper Montclair, New Jersey United States
Broadcast area	Northern New Jersey
Frequency	90.3 MHz
Programming
Format	Alternative rock
Ownership
Owner	Montclair State University
History
First air date	1966 (1966)
Call sign meaning	Montclair State College (earlier name of owning university)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	43579
Class	D
ERP	1 watt
HAAT	205 meters
Transmitter coordinates	40°51′53.00″N 74°12′3.00″W
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
Website	wmscradio.com

Programming

The station broadcasts and charts alternative/indie rock and pop with a healthy dose of talk, news and sports. Overnight and weekend shifts feature a variety of specialty shows, and community programming.

Specialty shows

During evening hours and a few weekend shifts WMSC broadcasts specialty shows:

• The Metal Teddy Bear Experience (Metal)
• Back to the Future
• Neon Vice Lair (Visual Atmospheric)
• Stomp N' Stroll Radio (Ska, Punk & Rock)

Community programming

WMSC features a number of talk, local news and local sports shows

• The Morning Buzz (Morning News / Talk Show)
• MSU Newsroom (Public Affairs Show)
• New in New Jersey (News)
• Focus (News)

Sports programming

The sports department broadcasts all home and select away games for both men's and women's Red Hawk teams.

History

At the beginning...

"The Voice of Montclair State" was founded by a group of students seeking to connect students and the surrounding community. Montclair was primarily a commuter college with on-campus housing for only about 25% of its 1966 student population. Most of the commuters and off-campus housing students left the campus at the end of their classes and seldom returned to participate in the wide variety of campus activities available. A commuter student from Clifton, New Jersey, Ed Helvey, felt that a college-based FM radio station could help better connect the commuter and off-campus students with their campus. In his first year, he founded the Montclair State Amateur Radio Society and then, during his second year, began a campaign to build interest in creating a college broadcast radio station.

By the second semester of his junior year Ed Helvey had recruited a core group of students who became the foundation of "The Voice of Montclair State". Mr. Tete Tetens, Jr., an Education professor and a broadcast engineer licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who worked part-time for WPAT at its Clifton, NJ AM transmitter site, became the faculty adviser. Additionally, Mr. Helvey had the support of Miss Emma Fantone, Coordinator, and Mr. Ted Sheft, Associate Coordinator, of the Audio-Visual Center. They provided the initial studio space for the first WVMS studio in College Hall, the college administration building. Mr. Helvey gained the support of Dr. Thomas Richardson, president of the college, Erik Engel, president, John Van Emden, treasurer and the other officers and student representatives of the Student Government Association, Mr. Gary Leo, Director of Student Activities, the College Life Union Board and the Montclarion. The Voice of Montclair State was also the recipient of the funds raised by the 1966 annual MSC Carnival, providing seed money to get the organization launched. The Student Government Association granted "The Voice of Montclair State"'s petition to be chartered as a Class A organization, which meant that it would receive annual funding from the student activity fees paid by every MSC student. This was the first new Class A chartered organization in over 20 years.

Helvey spent the summer of 1966 exploring the Educational FM channel allocations, working with a communication law firm and broadcast consulting engineers in Washington, DC, to find an available channel in the crowded New York metropolitan broadcast market. The fall 1966 semester found the members of The Voice of Montclair State working on programming ideas and schedules, acquiring equipment including several low power AM transmitters to be installed in MSC dormitories to launch an AM carrier-current station by the beginning of 1967. The transmitters were purchased new from Low Power Broadcasting, Inc., while most of the other studio gear was purchased used, including the original Western Electric broadcast console. The station operated from 6 am until midnight seven days a week during the regular semester. Programming consisted of DJ shows spinning donated records, playback of "live" recorded concerts of campus musical organizations including the campus folk singing group, The Dirdy Birdies, interviews with student leaders, promoting campus activities and other programming of interest to the dormitory population and the few off-campus students who could receive the low power AM signal.

Upon Helvey's graduation, and under the guidance of Les Anderson, vice-chairman; Barbara Faber, business manager; Wendy Burke, recording secretary; Ellen Connelly, corresponding secretary; George Steinmetz, chief engineer and the rest of the staff, WVMS continued to grow.

Helvey's final contribution to WVMS was to negotiate an arrangement with WFMU, at the time the FM campus radio station of Upsala College in East Orange, to broadcast a 27-hour WVMS Marathon program over WFMU's station one weekend during the spring 1967 semester. Working with the engineers at WFMU, the WVMS engineering staff and the Bell Telephone Company, broadcast Tie line division, all the technical arrangements were attended to. Other members of the WVMS staff solicited and gained the enthusiastic assistance and support of many organizations on the Montclair State campus to create 27 hours of continuous live programming that included a talent show, performances by various campus musical groups, interviews, a sports car rally and various other events that allowed the communities in northern New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area to learn what Montclair State College was all about and all of the community oriented activities that were available for their participation and enjoyment. When WVMS signed off and turned WFMU's transmitter back over, WVMS had put Montclair State College on the map a little more than it was before the Marathon, it had pulled together many campus organizations in a display of support and commitment and there was one triumphant, but very tired WVMS staff.

Launching The Voice of Montclair State and WVMS was an exciting and exhilarating experience for everyone involved and was one of the high points of most of the pioneering team's experiences at Montclair State College. In 1974, seven years after the original AM carrier-current station went on the air, Montclair was able to obtain an FM license, over objections from East Hanover Township that it would harm the operation of co-channel high school station WHPH. On December 9, 1974, with the signing on of WMSC, Ed Helvey's original dream had finally been realized.

The 80's and 90's

In 1981, WMSC filed to move to 101.5 MHz, having been displaced by changes to adjacent radio station facilities; the move became effective on March 12, 1984. Montclair State prepared for its move into the commercial band by purchasing $32,000 of new equipment and improving its on-air standards. This lasted 10 years until 1994, when, in a controversial decision, the administration of MSC accepted a $50,000 deal from WKXW Trenton (New Jersey 101.5) to move the station back to 90.3. and concerns from Ramapo College over interference to its WRPR. WKXW wanted to reduce interference that WMSC's facility caused to its own broadcasts and had threatened to even petition for the cancellation of the station's license if it did not accept an offer to move. The FCC accepted the application over the objections of Fordham University's WFUV; Press covered up to $25,000 of frequency change-related expenses and donated $100,000 in services, including the ability to rebroadcast news and weather reports from WKXW, in the run-up to the change, which took place in March 1995.

In 1994, Montclair State College became a university; however, the WMSU call letters were already in use by a commercial radio station in Starkville, Mississippi.

The 2000's

In 2012, WMSC became part of the brand-new Montclair State University's School of Communication and Media. It also moved to new studios on the third floor of Conrad J. Schmitt Hall.

On March 20, 2015, WMSC broadcasts the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Final Four from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Montclair State, after winning the NJAC for the third season in a row, advanced to the Final Four against George Fox – losing 70 to 58. The Red Hawks then won the national third-place game over Tufts University 56–48.

On September 14, 2015, broadcast executive Anabella Poland joins the WMSC as general manager. Before coming to Montclair State University, Poland was Director of Talent & Industry Relations at SiriusXM Radio where she negotiated and managed interviews, events and performances with A-level Hollywood actors, celebrities and musicians for more than 135 SiriusXM channels.

In January 2016, WMSC struck a distribution deal with iHeartRadio expanding the reach of WMSC as well as increasing visibility and discovery opportunity for the station. iHeartRadio announced in January they had just surpassed 80 million register users. The station changed formats, and dropped their "Underground" branding as the station was no longer in the basement of College Hall, and the moniker was no longer representative of the programming.

In April 2017, WMSC celebrated its 50th anniversary with 100 hours of live, uninterrupted event programming from Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 and a lineup of current and former DJs.

On May 26, 2017, founder Ed Helvey and founding members Ellen Harrigan (then known as Ellen Connolly), Helene & Bob Hinck, Les Anderson and WMSC's first ever faculty adviser, Tete H. Tetens, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the station with current general manager, Anabella Poland.

WMSC earned its first Marconi Award nomination for Non-Commercial Station of the Year in July 2017. That summer, WMSC moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art building that houses the School of Communication and Media.

Interest in the campus station from students in every major significantly increased with 159 hours per week programmed and hosted exclusively by students, and only 9 hours per week dedicated to legacy alumni shows. The shift meant that students produce and host for community and public affair programming.

The students' efforts paid off, and the station earned another Marconi nomination in 2019, this time for College Station of the Year.

Pandemic years

On March 6, 2020, the students were at a collegiate conference in New York City when Governor Murphy made an announcement about the pandemic and restrictions. After an extended Spring Break, general manager Anabella Poland and Chief Engineer Adam Goldberg devised a plan to keep the station operational remotely, giving the students the opportunity to broadcast live on WMSC. The station also adapted some shows to be pre-recorded. On March 23, The Morning Buzz went live remotely from each student's home with Poland guiding the sensitive content reporting and Goldberg connecting everyone to the station. WMSC broadcast daily remotely for five months.

In August, the university resumed in person operations, with strong Covid-19 protocols in place. At this time, the station allowed a limited amount of DJs to be in person, and others to submit pre-recorded programming. The Morning Buzz continued programming, this time with a producer in-studio, and hosts and contributors connecting through Zoom.

Program Director Josh Tirado and general manager Anabella Poland redesigned the Apprentice DJ Program, creating instructional videos and providing limited access to the studio for hands-on experience and testing.

In 2021, the station earned their third Marconi Award nomination. The momentum the station created by remaining agile and giving students access to the co-curricular activity paid off. Hundreds of new students signed up to be part of the station.

In 2022 alone, WMSC engaged more than 700 undergraduate students in the art of radio, and their work has resulted in several national awards in the areas of local news reporting, live music production, special broadcasts, and community engagement. From music to talk shows, news, and sports, the station offers a well-rounded line-up that captivates and informs the listeners while training the broadcasters of tomorrow. Furthermore, through programming, social media, and activations, WMSC has garnered significant local and national earned media that not only highlights the campus station, but also its licensee, Montclair State University.

Honors and awards

Marconi Awards

• 2024 College Station of the Year (nominee)
• 2023 College Station of the Year (nominee)
• 2022 College Station of the Year (nominee)
• 2021 College Station of the Year (nominee)
• 2019 College Station of the Year (nominee)
• 2017 Non-Commercial Station of the Year (nominee)

The Spirit of College Radio Award

• 2021 Winner
• 2018 Winner

College Broadcasters Inc.

• Best Special Broadcast "The Nightmare Before World College Radio Day" - First place (2022)
• Best Audio Promo "Tunes on Tuesday" - First place (2022)
• Best Social Media Presence - Second place (2022)
• Joel Willer Award for Exceptional Dedication and Service - Anabella Poland (Winner)
• Best Audio Special Broadcast "World College Radio Day" - First place (2021)
• Best Video Comedy "We'll be Back" - First place (2021)
• Best Documentary "Focus Racial Justice" - Second place (2021)
• Best Imaging - Third place (2021)
• Best Newscast "May the Fourth" - Fourth place (2021)
• Best Hard News "Pipeline Hack"
• Best Social Media Presence (2019)
• Best Podcast - Second place (2017)

Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Awards

• 2023 Best College Station in the Nation 10,000 students (Finalist)
• 2023 Best Live Music Broadcast "The Happy Fits" (Winner)
• 2023 Best Campus News "Campus Sexual Assault Protest" (Winner)
• 2023 Best Business Director (Winner)
• 2023 Best News Director (Finalist)
• 2023 Best Radio Drama "The Golden Record" (Finalist)
• 2023 Best Logo "Identity Crisis" (Finalist)
• 2023 Best Program Promotion Video "Heavy is the Crown" (Finalist)
• 2023 Best College Station in the Nation 10,000 students (Finalist)
• 2022 Best College Radio Station 10,000 Students (Finalist)
• 2022 Best Political News "VP Kamala Harris Visit to Montclair State" (Finalist)
• 2022 Best Spot News "Gov Murphy Hudson River Project"
• 2022 Best Celebrity Interview -"Weird" Al Yankovic (Winner)
• 2022 Best Live Music Broadcast "See Plus" (Finalist)
• 2022 Best Radio Drama "The Nightmare Before World College Radio Day"(Finalist)
• 2022 Best Use of Social Media  "Instagram"(Finalist)
• 2022 Best Program Promotion "The Nightmare Before World College Radio Day"(Finalist)
• 2022 Best Station Promotion "College Radio Resilience"(Finalist)
• 2022 Best Station ID "Spooky WMSC" (Finalist)
• 2022 Best Show Promo "Stomp N' Stroll Radio" (Winner)
• 2022 Best Promo Series "Earth Notes" (Finalist)
• 2022 Best Use of Video in Radio Studio (Finalist)
• 2021 Best College Station in the Nation (Winner)
• 2021 Best Program Director (Winner)
• 2021 Best Business Director (Winner)
• 2021 Best Use of Sound Effects "WMSC Rewind" (Winner)
• 2021 Best Radio Drama "Merlin's Magical Hour"
• 2021 Best Live Performance "Shape of Water Live from Manchester, UK for WMSC:
• 2021 Best Documentary "In Her Own Words : Perioperative Nurse at Hackensack"
• 2021 Best Community News Coverage: "Interview with Representative Mikie Sherrill"
• 2021 Best Website (Finalist)
• 2021 Best Station Blog "WMSC Newsletter" (Finalist)
• 2021 Best Social Media (Finalist)
• 2021 Best Use of Youtube (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Station Manager "Hiral Patel" (Winner)
• 2020 Best On- Air Personality "Ryan Trick" (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Live Music Broadcast "The Rad Trads" (Shane Furst, Pam Burrows, Nick Cherrey, Nate Williams) (Winner)
• 2020 Best Celebrity Interview: Interview with Soledad O'Brien  (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Public Affair Program "Focus Immigration" (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Live Broadcast Promotional Event "Too Many Tickets" (Finalist)
• 2020 "Event with Diane Grossman" (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Station ID "Good Evening" (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Sports Interview "MSU football" (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Website wmscradio.com (Finalist)
• 2020 Best Use of Youtube (Finalist)
• 2019 Jeff Tellis Outstanding Advisor, Anabella Poland (Winner)
• 2019 Best College Station in the Nation (finalist)
• 2019 Best News Interviews
• 2019 Best Political News Coverage - MSU Newsroom: Hillary Clinton talks about civility in politics | Donald Trump Op-Ed on USA today
• 2019 Best Sports Play-by-Play / Baseball
• 2019 Best Sports Play-by-Play / Women's Basketball
• 2019 Best Community Outreach Event
• 2019 Best Training Manual
• 2018 Best Radio Drama (Winner)
• 2018 Best College Radio Station in the Nation 10,000 students (Finalist)
• 2018 Best Community Volunteer Program (Finalist)
• 2018 Best Show Promo "The Catalyst" (Finalist)
• 2018 Best PSA "Addiction Recovery at MSU" (Finalist)
• 2018Best Play by Play NJAC Final- Basketball" (Finalist)
• 2018 Best Station Manager (Finalist)
• 2018 Best Sports Director (Finalist)

Notable alumni

• Brian Jude, Film & Video Producer/Director/Writer
• Justina Valentine, rapper, MTV Personality

See also

• Montclair State University

External links

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 43579 (WMSC) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WMSC in Nielsen Audio's FM station database