Orchard Radio puts WCC students on air 

Alisa Chmerenko | Contributor 

WCC gives students the chance to join a wide variety of clubs and organizations or to create their own, enabling each student to find a community that aligns with their interests. While not quite a club, Orchard Radio is one of the college resources that gives opportunities for scholars to blossom in their talents. 

According to the WCC website, students need to have a 2.5 GPA or higher to host their own radio show. 

Ryan Ehlke is a station manager who has led Orchard Radio for around 9 years. Ehlke has extensive experience in multiple radio stations that he utilizes to help students smoothly transition to becoming a DJ.

“Not only do I hope students learn the aspects of the radio world, but I also live it as well and kinda have that experience to go along with what I teach them,” Ehlke said.

Orchard Radio gives students the opportunity to create their own style and open up their potential. 

“I am here to teach you the technical aspects of everything, but then it comes to what you talk about here, your content and how you carry yourself, that’s where I take a step back and leave it to the students,” Ehlke shares. 

Students do not need any previous background or knowledge to join the radio station. For the first one or two shows, Ehlke will provide training in running the soundboard, automation system and usage of a mic. 

After understanding radio technology, students can run their show without supervision. Usually, students have an opportunity to run a one-hour weekly show. If they show commitment and interest, the show can be expanded in different ways. Students can work either in teams or individually. 

Usually, students do not have a restriction on choosing their topic. The only suggestion is to be respectful, have factual information if it is decided to speak about politics and not to use curse words. 

If someone is interested in broadcasting their own music, adding more music to the already created playlist or bringing guests for the podcast, they need to discuss it with Ehlke. 

While Orchard Radio does not offer internships or job opportunities, the staff of the radio and the broadcast media arts program will help and present different possibilities for students. 

On the question of what qualities make a great DJ, Ehlke said, “Someone who is driven, someone who is a self-starter, because a lot of the time you are alone in the room.”

Ava Roth is one of the WCC students who decided to explore new opportunities. By deciding to change her business degree to broadcast media arts and taking COM 150, introduction to radio production, she found out about the radio show. She has been doing her radio show for two semesters. Roth described the atmosphere of working at a radio station as casual and relaxed but said that it also has clear structure.

“They definitely want you to be creative, they want you to have a lot of freedom, they want you to find out what things you want to talk about, they want your style, your flair, what you are going to bring,” Roth said. 

Her preparation process includes looking through the news, finding something that she wants to share with the WCC students and arranging the notes for her show.

For new students who decide to join the Orchard radio show, she recommends contacting Dena Blair or/and Ehlke for more information, listening to as much music as possible, reading more about artists, working at the timing skills and preparing the script for the radio show.

Everyone is welcome to join Orchard Radio and get a chance to try something new. 

“We are hoping to have more students come in and realize the opportunity that this presents,” Ehlke said.

For more information about Orchard Radio, email radio@wccnet.edu. 

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