Eric Nuttall, U92 The Moose broadcast advisor, points to the “on air” signal mounted to the wall in the student radio station’s new location as U92 General Manager Aneissa Gallo (right) and Music Director Mason Deel look on. The radio station’s space is getting a much needed upgrade thanks to generous private donations. (WVU Photo/Derek Artimez)
West Virginia University is upgrading its Student Media facilities with $100,000 in private support to ensure aspiring radio DJs, music producers, news reporters, sports commentators and more are prepared to use the latest technologies in an ever-evolving media industry.
Renovations at the WVU Student Media building are slated for completion at the end of February.
The work is creating a new home for the University’s student radio station, U92 The Moose, with two professional broadcast studios centered around a lounge area, which can be used for on-air performances and discussions. The project is also providing new carpeting and tables for The Daily Athenaeum, the WVU student newspaper.
Madison Cook, director of Student Media, said the project is being entirely funded by donations from WVU alumni and friends, many of whom contributed to an on-air pledge drive hosted by U92 over the past few years.
This year’s 36-hour “Pledge Your Love to the Moose” drive begins at noon Feb. 13, and continues all day Feb. 14. Proceeds will go toward equipment for the new studio facilities.
“U92’s annual pledge drive is really a group effort — we have live music, alumni on air, participation from other WVU organizations,” Cook said. “It’s a high-energy environment and our students have a blast. You can really hear their enthusiasm on air, and we’re lucky to have dedicated alumni and listeners who help support our students.”
Established in 1982, U92 — also known as WWVU-FM — is an independent, student-run station that broadcasts music, sports, news and talk radio programming around the clock. About 60 students are actively involved, under the direction of two full-time staffers.
The renovation work is being done by March-Westin Company at a discounted price, thanks to generous support from Phil Weser, March-Westin’s CEO and co-founder. Weser became involved with radio in college, sparking a lifelong appreciation for unique music and entertainment.
“I love listening to U92 because it’s a great station to discover new music and other specialty programming you can’t find elsewhere on the radio,” Weser said. “The Moose creates opportunities for students to cultivate their professional skills while enriching people’s lives. March-Westin is proud to support their success through this renovation project.”
U92 operated out of a small studio at the Mountainlair until 2021, when WVU centralized Student Media operations at 284 Prospect St. to bring the station under one roof with The Daily Athenaeum and Prospect and Price Creative. U92 has been broadcasting from a converted office space since the move, which successfully boosted collaboration among students.
Aneissa Gallo, a senior from Long Beach Island, New Jersey, serves as U92’s general manager. She said her experience at the station has cultivated valuable professional skills she will take into the workforce when she graduates with her bachelor’s degree in sports and adventure media.
“These renovations don’t just help make the building better; this is actively contributing to students who want to go into broadcasting when they graduate,” Gallo said. “A majority of my staff have broadcasting goals of some sort after they graduate, whether that’s working in the music industry as a producer or doing sports play-by-play or color analysis. It’s giving students an opportunity to learn on equipment that they’re going to use in the future. Having the most up-to-date resources helps our students succeed in the long run.”
Gallo said she is appreciative of the U92 supporters who contributed to the project.
Many are alumni who worked with the station as students — including Tina Griesheimer, a donor and member of the WVU Student Media Alumni Committee who graduated from WVU in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in English.
Inspired by her involvement with U92, Griesheimer worked at radio stations in Colorado for 26 years before pivoting to marketing about 10 years ago. She said her experience using professional equipment at U92 helped her move quickly into a programming role in her first post-graduation job at KSPN-FM in Aspen.
“It’s important for students who are interested in a career in broadcasting to have real-world experience with the latest technologies being used in the industry,” Griesheimer said. “U92 has been providing those hands-on working experiences that go above and beyond the classroom. Peer-supported learning expands the WVU network of skilled employees who share that knowledge with others. I hope that U92 alumni will continue to support and contribute to the growth of experiential learning, ensuring it remains a thriving and invaluable opportunity for future students.”
Cook noted many alumni often remember U92’s distinctive studio door, which was covered with colorful stickers for bands featured on the station. The door was preserved when U92 moved out of the Mountainlair, and it will be integrated into the new studio space as a tribute to the station’s history.
WVU Student Media supporters who want to contribute to the renovation effort can make a gift online or tune in to U92 (91.7 FM) Feb. 13-14 to support the pledge drive.
All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Cassie Rice
Director of Strategic Communications
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304-554-0217; crice@wvuf.org
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