KTCU co-managers put ‘college twist’ on the radio

By Riane Cleveland

Published Oct 8, 2019

In Moudy South, you can hear rock, rap and other music as you walk down the first-floor hallway.

The music comes from KTCU, the on-campus radio station, but those sounds didn’t play at all a couple of years ago.

Texas may be a country state, but playing one genre of music can sometimes get old. Once the previous management departed, co-managers Geoffrey Craig and Janice McCall decided to give KTCU a much-needed change.

Prior to the change, country music was the main genre played at KTCU, McCall said. Because of that, the station saw a decline in listeners as well as complaints from those in the community.

Now, the duo has focused on putting the “college” back in college radio.

McCall and Craig widened the station’s horizons, deciding to play more modern music such as rock, rap and electronic.

KTCU is located on the first floor of Moudy South. Photo by Riane Cleveland

They also created new segments like “Local Lunch,” a weekday afternoon show featuring local artists.

“’Local Lunch’ was something different to do on weekdays,” Craig, the creator of the segment, said. “It is a way to let local artist in the DFW area have their music played.”

Craig and McCall didn’t just stop at changing the music, though. They worked on opening up opportunities for non-FTDM majors to work in the studio.

“When you think about a college radio station, anyone can like music from any field,” Craig said. “Anybody that wants to learn can just walk right in. The door is open.”

Carlos Rebollar, a sophomore music major, is in his first-year working as a radio jockey. Although he said everything was complicated at first, he learned his way around the station after shadowing other students.

Rebollar said that Craig and McCall are very supportive when working with students.

Students like Carlos Rebollar get hands on experience working at KTCU. Photo by Riane Cleveland

“They really make you feel comfortable in the whole training process,” Rebollar said. “The first time I spoke on air, I was scared, but they coach you through it.”

Rebollar said although his first time on–air wasn’t the best, both Craig and McCall encouraged him to perservere.

“They really made me feel comfortable in the position before I started working it,” Rebollar said. “They’re awesome.”

KTCU now has 29 student workers this semester, the most the station has ever had. This accomplishment is due to Craig and McCall’s efforts to be an inclusive and multifaceted station.

KTCU can be heard on FM 88.7 and through the TuneIn or TCU mobile apps. For more information on KTCU and how to get involved visit https://ktcu.tcu.edu/