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| Vol. 18, No. 11 | Nov. 12, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 11 | Nov. 12, 1998 |
Seven wannabe disc jockeys and sportscasters, announcers, commentators and talk show emcees turned up in a WVUD control room for a broadcasting lesson from senior Mike Fleming, the station's training director.
The UD students were introduced into the mysteries of broadcasting, learning about the confusing array of knobs and needles of the control board, the intricacies of programming the CD and cassette players and the turntables, setting the clock and how to use the microphone.
There were many dos and don'ts to learn: "Turn this channel off when recording or you will get an unbearable noise, guaranteed to have you pounding on the floor for relief," Fleming said.
"While one song or segment is playing, program the next so you are always ready and there is no dead air time," he advised.
There even was a run-down on telephones. "The red light goes on, but you cannot broadcast calls unless it's a call-in talk show," Fleming cautioned. "And," he added, "you don't have to play all requests for music; you can say 'no.' "
"It's okay to play most songs, unless they are really offensive," Fleming said. "But watch your language personally and stay within FCC regulations. Otherwise, the station gets fined, which it can't afford, and everyone is unhappy with you!"
The lesson over, Fleming told the class to try their wings and do their own thing. "It's just you talking into the microphone and you sink or swim," Fleming said. "I'm here to teach you the mechanics of broadcasting and the tricks of the trade, not what to do or say-that's up to you."
To become a part of the WVUD staff, students make audition tapes at the station, including such things as public service announcements and weather reports, and submit them to the program director. Or they can start broadcasting on UD's Channel 2, which, unlike WVUD, is a closed circuit system within the University.
A computer science major with a full-time job in computer support at Wilmington Trust, Fleming has a 1:30-3 a.m. program, Sunday mornings, on the graveyard shift. Broadcasting is an avocation for him-it's a release and change from his coursework and his job, he said.
-Sue Swyers Moncure
They were later joined on the air by Paula Savini, public relations manager of Goodwill Industries; and Tom Mitten, president of ProCom Inc.; while Greer Firestone, an independent college counselor with College Bound, who was the station's first broadcaster, joined in by telephone. For two hours the group reminisced, remembered when, told anecdotes and played the music of the era.
Booker helped organize the event and credits his UD radio experience for launching him on his career. "It was so much fun working at the station, and while I was still in school l was getting 'real jobs' in commercial radio so the experience was valuable in pointing me in the right direction," he recalled.
The celebration will continue on Friday, Nov. 20, with a reception for alumni and staff at the Scrounge from 8-9 p.m., followed by a swing dance for the general public from 9 a.m.-1 a.m. The admission fee is $2 per person.
Photo by Jack Buxbuam
