Whether you’re seeking campus information, hip tunes, or diverse programming, look no further than The Perch, a web based, student run radio station located in the Student Media Center of the University Center game room.
The Perch began in 2009 as a component of the Communication’s Department, providing a way for students to get exposure and experience with radio broadcasting.
“We want students to be able to leave here and adapt to any radio station. We have an audio console, a phone line, and everything you would find in a professional radio station. Three of our student staff members have become student broadcasters at WUTC,” said Nicole Brown, Faculty Advisor for The Perch.
However, The Perch isn’t just for Communications students. Any student with an interest in radio is welcomed to become a part of The Perch. Faculty are also welcomed to be a part of The Perch.
“Faculty members will often come on the show to be interviewed, and then decide that they’d like to lead their own show. It’s an innovative way for employees to bring their areas of expertise to all of UTC,” said Brown.
The Perch has a diverse line up of shows this semester, including Locker Room with Lance, hosted by The Perch’s first basketball player, to Career Chat with Donna Cooper, the Assistant Director of the UTC Career & Student Employment Center. The station also hosts special programing and interviews special guests.
In 2011, The Perch provided live coverage of the Presidential election.
“That night was phenomenal. The whole student media center participated in it. The multi-cultural center was involved with the viewing – over 400 students showed up, the echo was providing live updates, Mocs news was streaming live, and the perch was broadcasting live. It was a really good experience for the students. I was so proud to see all of that come together,” said Brown.
Dan Lothian, formerly a correspondent for CNN and now the owner of Dan Lothian Media, stopped by The Perch for an interview in 2014.
“It was great. The students were really impressed with him. They told him, ‘We want to be just like you,’” said Brown.
The Perch also interviewed Chancellor Angle last year, the first time the station has interviewed a UTC chancellor.
“The students were so excited and honored that he made the time to come down to talk to them,” said Brown.
Students and staff can be a part of The Perch by hosting music shows, maintaining the station’s web site, selecting the programs and music that will air on the station, maintaining the station’s equipment, promoting and marketing the station, and serving on the station’s management team.
Learn more about The Perch. Students interested in joining The Perch may call the station at 423-425-4280 or request an interest by emailing theperch09@gmail.com.
