Tuning into WRBC

After a five-year hiatus, Roosevelt University's student-run radio station, WRBC: The Blaze, has been going strong for over a year.

Student disc jockeys host weekly programs that feature mainstream music, inspirational messages and even some of our own university's literary talents.

Christine Shea, an English major, had no experience before applying to be a DJ last year.

"I didn't know if I had the wherewithal to actually be a radio DJ," Shea said. "My friends and I are music snobs; you could call it borderline musical elitism. My job was to put my musical knowledge where my mouth was."

Shea has hosted four shows, including her currently untitled one, which features Roosevelt writers and poets. It airs from 1-2 p.m. on Fridays.

There are also a variety of music-centered shows, which cater to a variety of musical tastes.

"Ife's Faze," hosted by journalism major Ife Alade, plays mainstream R&B, pop and hip-hop. It airs from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Samantha Pass, an elementary education major, hosts "The Music Box." This show plays R&B Soul from 1-2 p.m. on Mondays.

Jason Knol, an English major, hosts "Missing in Action." This rock and alternative music hour begins at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays.

WRBC's newest personality Carl Houtz, an MBA graduate student in marketing, now occupies the Thursday slot from 4-5 p.m. His show, "Uncovered Radio," will have a shifting focus from week to week.

"I want to play music that has a lot of upbeat energy but is not being given the time of day by Top 40 type radio," Houtz said. "Expect to hear bands that will or have played shows in Chicago at Pitchfork Festival and Lollapalooza, The Metro, The Double Door, Subterranean, The Vic, Schubas and the Bottom Lounge."

Some students also use the radio station as a way to be positive influences and share knowledge that impacts them.

"R U Inspired," hosted by journalism major Daniel Smrokowski, plays inspirational and Christian music from 3-4 p.m. on Fridays.

Finance major Rhonda Johnson hosts "Whatever You Do, Do It Big!" Johnson's show is an inspirational message show. She said her program is "centered around empowering all people to live their lives to their greatest potential in line with biblical principles." It airs from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays,

Annie Warshaw, a graduate student in history, and Oliva Kaplan, a sophomore political science major, host "Riot Radio," a feminist themed hour that airs from 5-6 p.m. every Thursday. The hosts discuss news, pop culture and play music that is not derogatory towards women.

"The feminist presence at Roosevelt is becoming louder with Feminists United and the Women and Gender Studies program," Warshaw said. "I wanted to continue the conversation of feminism by showing people that news, pop culture and music can be feminist too. We like to play a variety of music from Dolly Parton to Salt-N-Pepa and Bikini Kill to Nellie Mckay."

Listen to The Blaze at http://www.roosevelt.edu/wrbc/listen8080.htm, or visit http://www.roosevelt.edu/wrbc/, the official Web site of WRBC, to find a complete listing of DJs, the on-air schedule, and ways to contact the station for music requests and information on how to get involved.

WRBC's Schedule:

Monday:

Bob Johnson: 12-1 p.m.
Samantha Pass: 1-2 p.m.
Jason Knol: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Tuesday:

Rhonda Johnson: 10-11 a.m.
Johnny Chacon: 1-2 p.m.
Ife Alade: 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Mike Ramirez: 6-7 p.m.

Wednesday:

Kristen Gnoffo: 1-2 p.m.
Mimi H: 4-5 p.m.
Kyle Garmes: 6-7 p.m

Thursday:

Nick Conrad: 11a.m.-12 p.m.
Dave Lane: 3-4 p.m.
Carl Houtz: 4-5 p.m.
Annie Warshaw and Oliva: 5-6 p.m.

Friday:

Jessi Wood: 12-1 p.m.
Christine Shea: 1-2 p.m.
Daniel Smorkowski: 3-4 p.m.
Mallory Blazetic and
Casandra Dowell: 4-5 p.m.

Saturday:

Santino Torres: 12-1 p.m.