MCC Launches New Campus Radio Signal
Manchester, CT (May 8, 2013) … “Keep Your Speakers On ICE!” has been a phrase heard quite often on the campus of Manchester Community College over the past five years; it was the popular slogan for the college’s student-run, internet-based radio station. That slogan can now be applied to car speakers and clock radios: ICE Radio at MCC can now be heard on the AM Radio dial, at 1620AM.
The new signal reaches all around the MCC campus, including the perimeter roads surrounding and leading up to the 160 acre campus. Started in 2008 as an internet-only station, ICE Radio at MCC has been providing students, faculty and staff opportunities to creatively develop new radio programs and music shows that reflect the true diversity of its 10,000+ student population. A recent sampling of original shows airing on ICE Radio include: “Adventures In Guitarland” by Professor Ed Hogan; “Kickin’ it Country” by MCC Communications major, Nicole Natale; “The Coffee Shop,” an indie show by full-time student Eric Jenkins; “Classical Corner” from Professor Stephen Torres; “Wake Up with Waffle Time,” a weekly sports roundtable; and “ICE Wire,” -a current events talk show hosted by the Editor of MCC’s student newspaper.
Albert Kim, Associate Professor of Communication and Faculty Advisor to ICE Radio at MCC says: “This 1620AM radio expansion has been in the works for several months now; a project that was originally born years ago by previous media staff/faculty, and has finally come to fruition by a terrific group of volunteer students and Communications Interns! It’s truly wonderful to be able to have an AM signal now to complement our live internet stream, so that our popular Top 40 format and student-produced shows can be heard all around campus. Our MCC students are learning and practicing what it means to run and effectively execute a live radio station 24/7! Current ICE Radio President and General Manager, Chris DiGiro added, “ICE Radio has been a great place for me to learn all aspects of running a real radio station – programming, producing public service announcements and commercial spots, hosting shows, and promoting the station to the campus community! It’s all about students here at ICE Radio, and students are fortunate that MCC offers them this cool station.”
ICE Radio at MCC has launched a reinvigorated marketing campaign to increase awareness of its new 1620AM signal to students and staff, with a new logo, on-air elements, signs/posters plastering campus, a revamped website (ICE Radio) as well as social media, such as: Facebook – ICE Radio at MCC, Twitter – ICERadioMCC, Instagram – @ICERadioMCC, and coming soon to YouTube as well! The expansion project on 1620AM is supported by a grant from both Carl Perkins Technology in Education and a partnership with nonprofit organization, ERACE (East of the River Action for Substance Abuse Elimination) in East Hartford, CT.
Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and “real world” credentials. The college offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees through guaranteed admissions programs with several universities. The main, park-like campus, which is easily accessible from I-84, is also the home of Great Path Academy, a middle college high school, serving grades 9-12. The college’s second location, the Manchester Community College Arts and Education Center, opened in downtown Manchester in 2012.
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