WMCX, Monmouth’s student-run radio station, was recently named the number 18 Best College Radio Station by The Princeton Review in their 2021 guidebook The 386 Best Colleges.
Based on student surveys, WMCX was ranked at number 18 of the 20 best college radio stations in the country. The Princeton Review is an annual publication which ranks the best colleges in America in different categories. Unlike other publications of similar nature, The Princeton Review solely bases its rankings on student responses to positive or negative questions about their schools.
Aaron Furgason, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of the Communication Department and Adviser of WMCX, said of the process, “The poll is based on Monmouth University students’ responses. Students are asked to judge the popularity of the campus radio station at their own college. That means that a significant number of students that attend Monmouth think highly of WMCX.”
WMCX normally operates within an alternative rock format, but has since grown to be known for its sports, variety, and news content as well. Additionally, specialty music shows hosted by students also air frequently, with many of them being dedicated to a particular genre of music.
“We offer students the chance to play other genres of music through specialty shows such as hip hop, metal, and pop,” said Furgason. “Whatever the student is interested in is possible at WMCX.”
“For example,” Furgason continued, “WMCX’s Sports Director, Sean Gerhard, just started a new show based all on Star Wars music. You’re not going to hear that at a commercial radio station.”
It is this variety in content that Furgason believes sets WMCX and other college stations off from commercial radio stations. “College radio is a venue where listeners get to deep dive into genres of music not normally available on commercial radio,” he said. “For example, most commercial stations’ music libraries are 200 songs or less. Our main format, alternative/punk/new wave, features a music library with over 50,000 songs.”
In addition to music, WMCX features broadcasts in talk format. “Students not interested in playing music can broadcast a talk show covering topics like sports, politics, or popular culture,” said Furgason. “We even have a dedicated podcasting room for anyone interested in long-form audio production.”
Like many commercial radio stations, WMCX also covers live events; however, many of these are local to Monmouth County and surrounding areas. “The radio station broadcasts all of Monmouth University athletic events, Shore Regional High School’s football and girls Field Hockey games,” explained Furgason.
“We also host live music events in-studio and Classroom Concerts from Plangere 235 and live broadcasts on-campus, as well as at such locations as Jack’s Bar & Grill in West End,” he added.
According to Lauren Abreu, junior communications student and General Manager of WMCX, “WMCX really has worked hard to become such an established radio station.”
Abreu also praised the members of the WMCX team, adding, “Our DJs are some of the most determined and welcoming people on campus. The WMCX community is one of the many reasons I love the radio station so dearly.”
“Years of hard work and dedication from many staff members and executive board leaders led to this ranking,” Furgason added regarding the community. “WMCX has always been open and accessible to all Monmouth students, employees and alums.”
“It is such an honor to be a part of a radio station that is so highly acclaimed,” Abreu remarked. “Hopefully, we will be able to climb to the top of the Princeton Review in years to come.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University
