Campus Talk: Season 2 - Episode 1

Synopsis

David Thompson returns to Comm Center 16 for the second season of Campus Talk, introducing a new set and format along with updates from around East Stroudsburg University. He discusses the university’s new logo, the University Programming Council’s transition into the Campus Activities Board, women’s soccer becoming a varsity sport, and the arrival of new Comm Center 16 programs and a returning season of ESU News.

The first guest is Dr. Robert McKenzie, a new professor in ESU’s Speech Communication Studies Department. McKenzie discusses his move from California State University, San Bernardino, where pollution, traffic, and the demanding commuting culture made life increasingly difficult. He explains that ESU’s faculty, smaller classes, strong media facilities, television studios, and powerful campus radio station attracted him to the university.

McKenzie describes his background in broadcast journalism, mass communication, public speaking, and comparative media systems. He also reflects on his experience as a college disc jockey, newswriter, radio-station adviser, and researcher studying how Pennsylvania radio stations gather news. His published work examines the educational value of college radio and how a station can serve students, university administrators, and the surrounding community while still giving inexperienced broadcasters room to learn.

The conversation turns to the future of radio, with McKenzie predicting that cable and fiber-optic technology could eventually allow listeners to request personalized music and programming directly in their homes. He also explains why college radio remains valuable as an experimental training ground that offers diverse programming without the rigid formats and frequent commercial interruptions of conventional stations.

David’s second guest is Jim Hilbert, a senior elementary education major and the newly elected station manager of 90.3 WESS-FM. Hilbert describes his progression from staff member to news director, training director, and station manager. He explains that his primary responsibility is overseeing the station’s operations and ensuring that its officers and volunteer DJs fulfill their responsibilities.

Hilbert discusses his efforts to give WESS-FM a clearer direction by improving promotion, programming quality, staff accountability, and the consistency of its broadcast schedule. Because the station’s volunteer members receive no pay, he believes its success depends upon creating pride, enthusiasm, and a shared sense of purpose.

The interview also addresses the challenges created by annual leadership changes. Hilbert hopes that documenting station policies will give future managers a stable foundation instead of forcing each new administration to rebuild the organization. He and David conclude by discussing the freedom college DJs have to play obscure songs, unreleased recordings, comedy, album tracks, and music rarely heard on commercial radio.