Cal Lutheran University Students Launch New Student-Run iCLU Radio Station

University students launch iCLU radio

Programming includes music, news and sports

California Lutheran University’s new student-run radio station is live.

Hay Mun Win, "Louie" DeMetre and Ashley Messersmith in the iCLU studio (Photo by Leanne Blackwell/The Echo)At a time when other universities are closing student stations for financial reasons, Internet station iCLU has begun streaming from a studio located in the year-old center housing KCLU National Public Radio on campus.

Created by students for students, iCLU is webcasting a mix of music, live shows and pre-recorded content produced by student staff and volunteers 24/7 at www.icluradio.com. Live shows are currently streamed from 7 to 8 p.m. weekdays.

With the slogan “Your Life on Air,” the station’s goal is to provide educational and entertaining content that is an alternative to commercial radio. iCLU is a training ground for future broadcasters as well as a venue to showcase student talent.

Students are covering campus events and conducting interviews. Talk director Kat McConnell, a freshman communication major from Lake Elsinore, covers what’s hot on campus and beyond on “Gossip Girls.” Sports Director Kyle Dzurko, a sophomore communication major from Monte Sereno, hosts a weekly sports scoreboard and interview show featuring athletes and CLU and professional team news.

The station has an eclectic collection of music shows. “Blast Off” is a Top 10 countdown show covering a wide range of genres. “Kyle’s Do It Live” and “DJ French Wolf’s Electro Show” feature dance and techno music, and “Kassidy’s Radioactive Rock” plays current hits with a sprinkling of classics. Other programs include “Chad’s Country Show” and the all-encompassing “DJ Louie’s Trail Mix.”

As the staff and volunteer corps grow, the students plan to expand programming.

“We can’t wait to see how it evolves and takes on its own personality,” said General Manager Ashley Messersmith, a senior communication major from Woodland Hills.

Katherine “Louie” DeMetre, a freshman business major from Westlake Village, is the program director. Senior computer science major Hay Mun Win from Temple City is the webmaster.

The Associated Students of CLU Government provided $10,000 in startup funding. Students in an Advertising Campaigns class are spreading the word on campus. They came up with the slogan, added an “i” to the white CLU rocks on Mount Clef Ridge and taped iCLU’s initials on the steps in the center of campus. They also started a Twitter account, hosted a launch party and raffled off an iCLU surfboard.

CLU students previously operated a radio station from 1977 to 1994, when it was replaced by KCLU. KRCL transmitted music requested by students, campus news and poetry readings into the dormitories through the local cable system.