As the U92 radio station finishes up the 2025 Pledge Drive, there is a reflection of how important the radio truly is to the music industry and society as a whole. Radio is known to be the first form of broadcasting dating back to the beginning of the 1900s. With radio, the music industry was able to skyrocket as music could be shared with people near and far. Artists and producers found having their songs on the radio to be a high level of achievement and something to work towards.
In recent years, the rise of streaming services and new technologies has transformed the way people consume music. Yet, radio remains a powerful force, continuing to provide artists with a platform to share their work with the world. Beyond music, radio offers broadcasters a unique space to inform, entertain, and connect with their audiences in a way that digital platforms often struggle to replicate.
With U92 being a college station, students can create and find their voice in the broadcasting world. Having a platform where students can explore and become creative is so important to learn and without events like the pledge drive it would not be possible. The radio continues to thrive and offer something truly irreplaceable for generations to come.
For me personally, I have found a voice through U92 that I didn’t know was possible as a student. As I navigate through the beginning of my broadcasting career, the radio station created an opening for me to gain confidence with my voice and prepare for what is to come. With U92 being the first extracurricular I have joined during my time at West Virginia University, I felt welcomed immediately and gained friendships and connections with people who have similar interests. U92, just like many other radio stations, opens a community for not only the audience but for everyone involved and I am insanely grateful to be a part of it.