Graceland University has been 'a buzz' about talk of radio stations since last fall. Just as National Public Radio came to Graceland to establish its voice for southern Iowa, two collaborating ideas on campus came together through the efforts of SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) and the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery). The concept was to create a student-operated radio station. SIFE researchers quickly learned much of the work had already been done by the ACM. Curtis Calloway (SIFE) and Aaron Twombly '05 (ACM) began to plan for the station, to be affectionately known as 'the Buzz.'
The groups learned that to broadcast through a traditional over-the-air signal would not be possible because of government regulations. The ACM had already done the research, however, for online broadcasting through a live internet stream which could be picked up from any internet-ready computer in the world. The software was already in place for broadcasts to begin immediately. With help from the 2004-2005 student Senate, funding was obtained to construct a studio on the Memorial Student Center mezzanine. Facility Services completed construction over the past summer and KBUZ studio was ready for use last fall.
The groups learned that to broadcast through a traditional over-the-air signal would not be possible because of government regulations. The ACM had already done the research, however, for online broadcasting through a live internet stream which could be picked up from any internet-ready computer in the world. The software was already in place for broadcasts to begin immediately. With help from the 2004-2005 student Senate, funding was obtained to construct a studio on the Memorial Student Center mezzanine. Facility Services completed construction over the past summer and KBUZ studio was ready for use last fall.
As progress was made, people began to step forward with previous experience in radio and an interest to help with the project. Sophomore Kasey Johnson had worked with radio throughout her high school career in Des Moines. Paul Davis '77, Associate Director of Development at Graceland and a former broadcaster, became actively involved with fundraising and he sponsors the broadcast radio club.
Calloway, Johnson, Davis and a group of volunteer students began planning programming to include: live Graceland sporting events, live concerts from The Shaw Center for the Performing Arts and education programming from different divisions around campus. Twentyeight students and two staff members have tried their hands at being a DJ and the Buzz has been going strong ever since. At the end of the fall men's and women's soccer season, almost all home games had been broadcast and a few games from National Tournament play in Florida and Olathe, KS.
Since broadcasting began, news quickly spread and ideas for future programs are spinning. Just recently a few staff from the Buzz met with Susan Maroldo '66, Chair of the Communications Department, and developed a way for students to receive academic credit for working with the station. Internships, Practicums and independent studies are now available. Future plans are limitless as more people hear about the program and as funds become available through donations to the station. It is possible that the Buzz will obtain necessary licenses to broadcast over an FM frequency, and it is possible that broadcast journalism will become a fi eld of study at Graceland. If you would be interested in learning more, or donating funds to the station, email: guradio@hotmail.com, or check out the site at http://radio.graceland.edu. If you need help connecting to the station on your computer, email the Buzz and a staff member will respond and provide specific instructions.
There have been several radio stations operated at Graceland, dating all the way back to 1916 when a government-licensed wireless station called 9YO began a three-year run. Most notably, KGRA Radio began broadcasting in 1947 and with periodic student leadership over the years, operated sporadically until 1975.
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