Student-Run WUSR Offers Opportunities ‘From Day One’

University of Scranton open houses are a time for discovery, for potential students and families to get a feel for the school and its programs through the people who know them best.

Grace Quick ’26, an advertising major from Yardley, made for a perfect WUSR 99.5 FM pitchwoman at the Oct. 26 open house.

“Whatever you’re interested in,” she told guests touring the studio, “we can make that available to you.”

Then again, the almost-too-good-to-be-true testimonial may be even more meaningful and relatable to hear it from a first-year student.

“I actually just started a couple weeks ago,” said Haley Fahey ’29, a media production and journalism major from Long Island, New York. “I did my first show on Friday and I think it’s really interesting. There’s something so fun about sitting in that booth, by yourself, talking about music that you enjoy.”

Take it from anyone associated with WUSR, the University’s student-run radio station: It offers personal attention, immediate involvement and real opportunities to create and grow.

Having gone live in 1993, WUSR marked its 30-year anniversary in 2023 with a full renovation of its studios.

WUSR’s studios include four distinct spaces: a lobby, classroom, live broadcast area and pre-recording booth, all equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and equipment.

“Everything is up to date and we have really nice facilities up here,” Quick said.

Quick has been on the air since she was a freshman. She said she enjoys preparing for and recording her show — “Q at the U,” which covers different periods of music history and airs from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday. She adds that the experience has improved her public speaking and her ability to quickly think on her feet.

“Day one, if you’re interested in doing something, we will train you and let you have those opportunities,” Quick said. “There’s no waiting list. We have a lot of freedom and a lot of independence once we're trained. The department and the professors put a lot of trust in us to pull through with our projects and feed our passions."

Quick is the station’s student manager. Jim Riley, a longtime local broadcaster, is the general manager. Juliana Kelly ’28, an advertising/public relations/social media major from Havertown, is the music director.

Kelly, who worked in Haverford High School’s radio program, said the opportunity to participate with WUSR was one of the reasons she came to Scranton.

The experience has been everything she’d hoped it to be.

“It’s definitely allowed me to expand creatively,” Kelly said. “I feel like I’ve been able to grow throughout this. It’s also a great lesson that you’re not always going to be perfect. I’ve definitely learned to work through some issues.”

Kelly gives advice and plays music on her show, “Radio: Jules’ Version,” from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Kelly, Quick and Fahey, whose show airs at 5 p.m. Friday, are three of the 20-plus WUSR student DJs. Numerous others work behind the scenes.

“I find it very fun,” Kelly said. “I look forward to this every week.”

WUSR will again invite guests into its studios at the upcoming Nov. 9 open house. WUSR is available for personal tours from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Numerous other facilities and programs inside St. Thomas Hall, the Houlihan-McLean Center, Loyola Science Center, Brennan Hall, Weiss Hall, Leahy Hall, Hyland Hall, the DeNaples Center and McGurrin Hall, covering all colleges and interests, will open its doors at the upcoming open house.