KSMR gets an extreme makeover

By Ashley Acosta
Feature Editor

Many changes have been made at Saint Mary’s University’s radio station, KSMR, in an effort to get more people to tune in.

These changes are part of the teamwork by General Station Manager, Ryan Briscoe and Assistant Manager, Sarah McDonough, who worked during the summer on ways to transform the KSMR. “We thought that by changing the face of KSMR and a few other things, it would really help to expose the station not only to SMU students but also the community of Winona,” said McDonough.

Over the summer, a contest was held asking students to submit their ideas for a new station tag. The new slogan selected was, “KSMR. Where we shake up Winona.”

Not only did KSMR receive a new image but also a new way to access radio programming -through television. Radio shows also will be broadcast on channel 19.

Slides displaying advertisements, as well as community and Saint Mary’s announcements, will fill the screen while the radio’s programming will be played in the background.

“Not everyone has a radio, but everyone has a TV,” said McDonough. “By putting shows on channel 19, we can reach so many people we may have not reached before.” As well as being on television, KSMR officials will use the Internet to attract listeners. “Streaming our station’s programming online has also been discussed but unfortunately its not going to be possible for the next few years,” Briscoe said.

The staff is also planning to increase the amount of promotional events by bringing back the once popular KSMR block party. The event, call “Lollaplaza” and set tentatively for mid-October, will be held in the Saint Mary’s plaza and consists of music, food and prizes including KSMR T-shirts, mugs and i-Tunes gift cards.

To increase listenership, Briscoe and his staff are not just focusing on campus, but also the Winona community.

“We are going to incorporate more updates and coverage on events happening not just at Saint Mary’s but throughout Winona,” said Briscoe.

Posters and flyers publicizing KSMR are planned to be spread around to businesses throughout Winona.”

Former disc jockey and junior Pat Howard said, “KSMR is a no pressure, relaxed environment that every student should experiences and it is a shame that more students don’t participate.”

In attempts to attract more students, the KSMR lobby is also getting a makeover to create a more inviting environment. A recovered couch, an organized cd collection and new microphone booms were among a few of the new additions.

“We wanted to create a place where DJs could hang out and have a successful show,” McDonough said. “We don’t just want to be that office in lower Michael H. Toner Student Center anymore. We want people to know who we are.”

To listen to music, news, sports or other variety shows tune into 92.5 FM on campus, Channel 19 on Winona Public Television or 94.3 FM in the Winona area.

For a complete list of KSMR radio programming look for posters placed around campus and the Winona area or log on to the KSMR web site www2.smumn.edu/studorg/~ksmr.