WYSU

History

• 1967: Don Elser, Steve Grcevich, and YSU President Albert Pugsley propose a fine arts radio station for Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley Community
• 1969:
• * At 10:00 a.m. October 23, WYSU-FM signs on the air at 88.5 MHz as a charter member of National Public Radio, broadcasting 12 hours daily from its studios in room 310 of the former Valley Park Motel on Wick Avenue. Original staff members were:
• ** Steve Grcevich, Director of Telecommunications
• ** Bill Foster, Announcer/Record Librarian
• ** Polly Golden, Secretary
• ** Lew Moler, Chief Engineer
• ** Richard Stevens, Program Director
• * Began airing All Things Considered
• * Aired first edition of Folk Festival with Charles Darling
• 1971: Became part of the first radio network using satellite delivery of programs
• 1972: Aired first edition of Now's The Time with Martin Berger
• 1973: Began airing Saturday Night on Broadway with Don Elser
• 1974: Began 18-hour broadcast day
• 1976: Moved studios to newly built Cushwa Hall
• 1980:
• * Began 24-hour broadcast day
• * First on-air fundraiser
• 1985:
• * Morning Edition began
• * Robert Peterson named director
• 1987:
• * Bill Foster passes away
• * Barbara Krauss named announcer/producer
• 1988: Ann Cliness named announcer/producer
• 1990: Began summer bus excursions to Blossom Music Center
• 1991:
• * Began operation of new 50,000 watt transmitter with antenna moved to WKBN tower
• * Aired live coverage of the first Gulf War
• 1993: Ashtabula translator began operation at 90.1 FM
• 1995: New Wilmington translator began operation at 89.9
• 1996:
• * Added state-of-the-art digital editing equipment
• * Sponsored first Mad About The Arts
• * Automated overnight programs
• 1997: Added political affairs program Commentary Cafe
• 1998:
• * Michael Cervone named announcer/producer
• * Improved New Wilmington signal by moving translator to 97.5 FM
• 2000:
• * First station-sponsored European tour: Great Britain
• * Gary Sexton named director of broadcasting
• * Added website & streaming audio
• * Initiated Robert W. Peterson Scholarship
• 2001:
• * David Luscher named associate director
• * Aired live coverage of 9/11
• * Expanded news programming
• 2003:
• * Began broadcasting Youngstown 2010 simulcasts with PBS 45 &49
• * Added A Prairie Home Companion
• 2004: Installed digital equipment in the broadcast studios
• 2006: Began first strategic planning process since station made its debut
• 2007:
• * Began broadcasting in HD
• * Began Lincoln Avenue community affairs program
• 2008:
• * Added all-classical HD channel
• * Added all-classical Internet stream

  Translators