WVUR Management Blog

Another exciting month has passed and I have come away with more valued WVUR experience. Since the new year began, I have worked on 14 sports broadcasts, started a brand-new radio show, and I have also picked up an extra job at The Torch, VU’s student newspaper. Anything I have forgot… oh yeah. I’m still the WVUR webmaster who has had a lot of work maintaining the site as well as adding a new tab to showcase our programming staff.

While looking back has made me feel blessed to be given all these wonderful opportunities, the road ahead is interesting to say the least. Soon, we will start putting together the new management staff for next year, and we lose a lot of great seniors once the year ends. It should be interesting to see where the returning managers end up, not to mention what great people will become the newest class of WVUR managers.

Personally, I have  quite a week ahead. Here’s a brief taste: a mock newspaper story on the men’s basketball team for one of my classes, a real newspaper story on the women’s basketball team as well as a late season recap for both teams, 2 different 3 page papers, and a color commentary assignment over the weekend. I don’t know how I’m going to pull this off, but I’ll find a way somehow. Right now, it’s time to take a quick break from all this work and enjoy what should be an exciting Super Bowl between Indianapolis and New Orleans.

Happy birthday, News Director Allison Kuehner!

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz, Webmaster

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz Uncategorized Crusaders, Webmaster

WVUR has taught me a lot while I’ve been on campus. Now starting my 4th semester, I’m excited for what’s in store. Each semester has gotten better and better for me, and I’m ready to tackle many tasks that come my way this spring.

I am involved with a lot on campus. WVUR Events Director/Sports Broadcaster/DJ, Sigma Chi, Torch writer, Vice President of Recruitment for IFC (Interfraternity Council), Orientation Assistant, and member of VUTV (excited for that to start!). Each brings something new to the table every day. I work with so many different students, professors, and administrators, and I couldn’t ask for more. Most importantly, add class to all of that, and I always have a full plate every day and night.

For each, I work with many different personalities and it has taught me how to handle many different situations. At WVUR, I get to experience a lot on and off campus. As 2010 gets underway, I expect nothing to change except adding more for myself. More challenges, more experiences, more outcomes, some successful and some failed, and more to learn. Working at the radio station allows me, at times, to get away from things and, at the same time, continue to work hard and also focus on my future. I am in the process of looking for summer internships (none that interfere with being an Orientation Assistant because I love that job as well). I have met so many people from the time I was at FOCUS as an incoming freshman up til now, and there are more people to get to know. I couldn’t have asked for a better time than that I’ve had at Valpo.

A lot of this blog is me talking about myself and my experiences. I can go into great detail about each, but that would waste Internet space and no one would read it. But one thing I hope many of you take from this is to find something (or somethings) that will allow you to enjoy yourself. While I am usually busy for 16 hours of the day and sleep the other 8, I get the most out of every moment of every day.

I hope everyone takes time for themselves, whether it be keeping busy or relaxing by reading a book, listening to music, or whatever it takes to have a little “you time”. You owe it to yourself and can get so much out of anything you do.

This semester at WVUR, like all, is going to be a blast! I hope I get a chance to meet-and-greet with all of you and get to know everyone. We are going to continue to work our tails off to accomplish great things, but also have a great time doing all the work we do at the station. Come talk to me whenever.

Have a great day!
Mike Targonski, Events Director

Mike Targonski Uncategorized

Well, my break was pretty good overall. I went to Colorado for a week at the beginning of break. It was beautiful there! I have decided that I want to live there at least for a few years of my life. I flew back here to good old Midwest on Christmas Eve. Got some pretty good gifts and had an enjoyable dinner with the family. New Years was fun. As always, my family had a small party with TONS of food. And now we are back into the swing of classes.

As I mentioned in my last blog, I went to the Chicago Rise Against show. Let me just say…I almost died, but it was one of THE BEST shows of my life. Jared would agree.

And of course, just to give you all a little glimpse of what I listened to in 2009, here are my top 5 albums of the year:
5. Mew “No More Stories Are Told Today Sorry…”
4. Animal Collective “Merriweather Post Pavillion”
3. Tegan and Sara “Sainthood”
2. Owen “New Leaves”
1. Matt & Kim “Grand”

I actually had a top 30 this year. But of course, I am patiently awaiting new music from bands such as Foo Fighters and Vampire Weekend this year.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 2010!!!

Katie Hennessey
Assistant Music Director

Katie Hennessey Uncategorized

Waverly, Iowa and Valparaiso, Indiana are two different worlds. Every time I make the drive it feels like there’s so much between the two that they almost seem completely cut off from each other. Naturally, I’ve grown very found of Valpo since I spend most of my time here and have a lot of fun. Because of the nature of my “two homes,” being able to come back feels so rewarding.

For anyone that has been on trips similar to this, you know the feeling all too well. Being back, everything is starting to settle into place so that the next semester can start on the right foot. Unfortunately, things did not go so well from a sports prospective. Both Crusader basketball teams lost earlier today and I had to work both broadcasts. Obviously, you’re suppose to be an objective reporter as a broadcaster, but it’s still disappointing to watch the local teams lose, especially some of the close ones they’ve had this year. Anyway, after a few weeks of roaming between Iowa and Wisconsin visiting friends and relatives, I have to say that it’s so nice to be back in Valpo getting ready for some more time with great people and the best college radio station around!

Happy birthday, Cuba Gooding, Jr.!

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz, Webmaster

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz Webmastering Crusaders, Webmaster

Christmas break for a music director is a delightful time. Or for any student with a love of music, really. In keeping up with school work and all other activities, music sometimes slips through the cracks.

This break has been fantastic time to catch up on some records I’ve missed out on this year, this decade, or even further back. Some of the great stuff I’ve caught up on this break has been:
Matt and Kim’s first album
Broken Social Scene’s first album
Ellen Allien’s album Berlinette
Sam Cooke’s album Ain’t That Good News
Piglet’s first (and sadly only) album Lava Land
American Analog Set’s first album The Golden Band

Apparently I have a terrible habit of ignoring bands’ debut albums? Who knew. Either way, I’d recommend all of those albums, they were all fantastic.

While I’m on the topic of recommendations, I also got to see the movie The Boat That Rocked (aka Pirate Radio, here in the States), and I simply cannot recommend it enough. As fan of music, you owe it to yourself to check out. Its set in 1966 when British radio refused to play rock and roll music, so “pirate” radio stations in international waters would broadcast to millions of rock fans. It just came out this year, but is out on DVD.

Anyway, hope you guys have a fantastic new year, and I look forward to bringing you tons of great music in 2010!

Chris Zaplatosch
Music Director

Chris Zaplatosch Uncategorized

Toward the beginning of December, we ran out of our vast supply of WVUR T-shirts, thus causing the need to design and print a new shirt.

For our design, we wanted to go throwback as a way to get pumped for the upcoming 50th anniversary of college radio at Valparaiso University this fall.  After a couple classic design ideas, we decided to play off of the Atari logo and typeface.  We also went with some retro color schemes as well, which we’re really hoping people will enjoy.  Here’s a preview of the design.

Shirts should be in early January, so we can’t wait to show them off around campus.  If you’re interested in a shirt, sign up to be a WVUR DJ in the spring by e-mailing Jeff.Lange1@valpo.edu.

-Cameron Banga, GM

Cameron Banga Uncategorized

To say that this year was unique would be an understatement. Christmas break has been proof enough of how interesting my entire year has been.

Before Christmas even rolled around, one of my grandmothers died and my laptop crashed. Throw in some pesky Midwest weather, and the family tree remains half-decorated and empty underneath. The only thing my family has been able to do “as usual” was go to church on the 24th and 25th. Still, I must say that there have been a lot of positives through this experience. With all these events thrown together, I’ve spent a lot of quality time with my family while celebrating Christmas for what it is and not what it should be.

As fun as being home as been, I can’t wait to get back to Valpo and anything that can give me a sense of normality. By Sunday, I’ll have two more sports broadcasts under my belt and I’ll be settled in my room waiting for the next semester to begin. I’m looking forward to 2010 and the spring semester, and I hope the rest of you are doing the same. Best of luck to everyone and have a happy new year!

Happy birthday, Iowa (est. 1846)!

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz, Webmaster

Chris Kleinhans-Schulz Webmastering Webmaster

Finally! The first semester is over! Hope everyone’s finals went great.

All in all, this semester was exciting. I did plenty of fun stuff for the station, and the station has had a great semester as an organization.

In September, SourceStock controlled my life. Pretty much everyday after we got back to school, that’s all I did; prepared schedules, drew floor plans at the ARC, and double- and triple-checked just about everything. The day of SourceStock was one to remember. It was a very long day for everyone who was involved. Personally, I was at the station at 5:00 am to set up the Popcorn Fest table, and didn’t leave the ARC until 1:00 am. There was a lot to get done and we did it all in one day. As far as the concert, it was great. We had a huge crowd, and it was nothing short of what I expected. And I was able to meet, and hang out with, the band members; they were fantastic people.

Since then, I returned to Sports broadcasts. I had a little hiatus since I could only think concert at the beginning of the year. I was able to announce some pretty big games. I announced the men’s soccer game where they clinched the 3rd seed in the Horizon League tournament. I announced a big game at Hinkle Fieldhouse for volleyball when Valpo played at Butler. Made a road trip to Pittsburgh for volleyball. For basketball, I was able to announce at Michigan State, who was ranked #2 in the nation at the time. It was all exciting and well worth the wait.

From the events department, we had some great Live Remotes and expect to do just as well, if not better, in the future. For everyone, we had a great semester at WVUR. We had some great DJs, our News staff sounded great all semester, and Sports staff is keeping busy, but keeping up the quality. This first semester was a blast, and everybody did a wonderful job.

Congrats on finishing the semester. Look forward to a better second semester. Hope to see everyone back with shows, as well as some new DJs. FYI, Harry Cassin and I are doing a Top 10 Countdown show. Be sure to keep your eyes, and ears, open and tune in.

Happy Holidays!
Mike Targonski, Events Director

Mike Targonski Events

These past couple weeks have been crazy around here! At the beginning of this month I attended the Chicago Weezer show at the
Aragon Ballroom. It was pretty fabulous. They played all of their older stuff which made me a very happy person. I would have to say, it was probably one of the best shows I have ever been to. They were hilarious and just really entertaining. At one point, Rivers Cuomo (the lead vocalist for those of you that do not know) came to the back of the venue and jumped up on some of the sound equipment where the sound guys were. It was awesome because my friend and I were sitting in the balcony right above him. Too bad I forgot my camera. It was still an amazing show and Motion City Soundtrack was, of course, amazing as well.

And for my next amazing concert adventure….RISE AGAINST!!! I’m so excited to see this show! I bought tickets for Jared Case for his birthday and we will be heading to the House of Blues on the 17th. They are probably one of my favorite rock bands ever and I’ve been a huge fan for many, many years. I’ve also never been to the House of Blues so that’ll be pretty exciting as well.

Other than that, music staff has been a huge success for me this semester!! I’ve consistently had 5-10 people coming to meetings every week. The only thing I’m still having trouble with is getting people to do music reviews for the evening source. I’ve got some new ideas for next semester will hopefully reduce that problem.

Other than all of that, I’m extremely happy that this semester is over. I can’t wait for the upcoming new year and for new classes. I hope everyone has an awesome holiday!!

-Katie Hennessey, Assistant Music Director

Katie Hennessey Uncategorized

Last week, I was really excited about the opportunity to sit down with Valparaiso University President Mark Heckler for an on air interview. We interview the VU President once a semester, but this was my first opportunity chance to sit down and talk with President Heckler on air.  If you didn’t get a chance to listen to the interview, you can find the complete broadcast here.

It’s always fun to sit and talk with someone who has an integral part in the workings of VU.  We discussed upgrading campus residence halls, student meal plans, plans for the old Student Union, and much more.  We also got a chance to get away from more serious questions and talk about his favorite Christmas events on campus as well.

It was a great interview and if you haven’t had the chance to listen to it, I definitely recommend that you take some time out of your day and listen to the podcast of our broadcast.

-Cameron Banga, GM

Cameron Banga Uncategorized