Tabitha L. Andrews ’23
Staff Writer
The radio station here at Lake Forest College is a student-run independent station. It was established in 1975 by the students of Lake Forest College. It has maintained an open and accessible environment for students to come and demonstrate their creative interests.
My experience with the station has been very fulfilling because it provides me with a place to escape from the realities of being a student in college. It enables me to share my musical expression with anyone who wants to listen. My fellow hosts agree with me in this perspective and have included their views and thoughts in an interview with Stentor staff.
With the radio station, I want to demonstrate a variety of experiences and memories my interviewers shared. Their names are Davis Rowe ’25, Miles Wells ’25, and Finn Kraker ’25. Rowe runs an independent show from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. He is a first-year here at Lake Forest College and plans to major in history and politics. Wells and Kraker collaborate to produce a show on Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. They are also first-year students at Lake Forest; Wells is thinking of majoring in psychology and religion, while Kraker is interested in music and film.
I also sat down with the General Manager Grace Michel ’22 who provided me with some insight into how the show runs and operates, and her four years of experience with the station. Lastly, I interviewed the station’s faculty advisor who helps maintain its functions, Professor David Park. We discussed his role with the station and his own hosting experience.
Why did you join the radio station?
Rowe: “My friends were doing a show on the station, and one was like ‘Oh, you should come and watch me during my radio show,’ so I went and watched him and immediately was interested because it looked like a lot of fun. After that, I signed up, and it wasn’t difficult to get a slot because we are such a small school.”
Wells and Kraker: “We both love music.”
Michel: “First semester of my first year, I came to Lake Forest, and during Orientation I saw the station and thought it looked really unique. I had always thought the idea of radio was really cool.”
What are your hosting styles?
Rowe: “Mainly a freeform hosting style. I like to play the song and then talk about the song, any kind of personal attachment I have to it or think is cool. Usually, I have a theme for the overall setlist, and I like to talk about how each song fits in with the theme.”
Wells: “We usually do our shows together and pick a word to base the show off. Our most recent one was the word ‘water,’ and we just chose songs based on water and what feels like water. We’ve also done ‘apocalypse’ and ‘Chicago.’”
Michel: “Pretty random. Some days I have a set theme like I’ve done A to Z, cover shows, and instruments.”
Park: “My style is basically almost nonexistent. I play a lot of rock and rock-adjacent music. I try to make it a goal on the show to be geographically diverse in what I play.”
What are your favorite parts of having a show?
Rowe: “I just like being in there and listening to music. It is a dedicated time for me to absorb a song, digest it, and have an audience to share that digestion with.”
Wells: “Sharing music with everybody, that is so much fun.”
Kraker: “I like seeing other people’s reactions. My family will call and tell me to play a song or let me know they liked the show, and I think that’s really cool.”
Park: “The day-to-day friendly relations and working with students to create a special bond in music.”
What are your favorite memories at the station?
Rowe: “My finals week, I went in to do my show, and some people were in the station. I went in, about to kick them out, when I heard them playing a song I really liked. Instead of doing my show, I just sat and talked with them.”
Kraker: “One time, a guy called, and he was delivering pizzas. He asked us to play ‘Smoke on the Water’ by Deep Purple because it worked with the theme. It was very cool. You’re not supposed to play songs that swear before 10 p.m., and we forgot to vet our set. One song came on that had a swear word, and we just looked at each other, and Miles was like ‘DUDE!’”
Michel: “I would have people outside the station just come in and listen. I would play a lot of throwbacks, and we would all just sing and have a good time.”
Park: “I’ve got great memories connected to live shows we’ve put on campus. In February 2020, Pixel Grip played on campus, and everyone had a blast.”
What would you say to some looking to join the station?
Rowe: “Do it. Going to play songs you like is a blessing. You’d be surprised at who is listening, and you make new friends. If someone wants to, they can sign up, but only after me because I want the good times.”
Wells and Kraker: “Do it.”
Wells: “Why would you not? Do your homework and listen to music in the radio station; it’s great.”
Getting involved in the station is not hard and is a great way to discover new music and meet some interesting people. Grace Michel has been with the station throughout her college experience and has gotten even more involved by joining the executive board. She learned a lot as a programming director in how to outreach and communicate. As general manager, she has found value in being someone people can turn to for help.
David Park has been a part of the station since 2006 when they needed one more DJ for the semester. Ever since, he has had a show in the spring. He preserves the station’s community and works with students like Grace to create an environment where anyone can enjoy some tunes and have fun.
For more information about WMXM 88.9 FM, please visit the lower level of Mohr Student Center across from the Mailroom or https://wmxm.org/.
