WXIN (Rhode Island College)
WXIN (90.7 FM) is the student broadcast service of Rhode Island College. WXIN operates a part 15 FM transmitter on the property of Rhode Island College, in Providence, RI, USA. In addition, WXIN rebroadcasts its programming in the form of a webcast over the Internet through streaming service provider Live365.
Organization
WXIN is a student organization, officially recognized by Rhode Island College, and funded by Student Community Government, Inc.
Students make up the entirety of the executive and subsidiary boards. In addition, the station has both a faculty adviser (as required per student government regulations) and a professional adviser. Students make up the majority of the general membership, which include DJ's, talk hosts, promotions staff, and production staff. WXIN occasionally permits alumni members, along with RIC faculty and staff to participate in on-air programming to fill in gaps in the schedule, though air time is given on a priority basis to enrolled students.
WXIN also employs a Technology Consultant and Engineer on retainer, for assistance in supporting and maintaining technology and broadcasting equipment in the station. The station additionally employs a webmaster/web designer for the purpose of designing and updating the station's website, which has won multiple awards for its design and content.
WXIN's five member executive board is elected annually in April, including the positions of General Manager (President), Program Director (Vice President), Business Director (Treasurer), Sales Manager (Secretary), and Production Director. The executive board then hires a subsidiary board which includes four music directors, two promotions directors, a traffic director, and a news/sports/talk radio director.
Although Rhode Island College has a Mass Media Communications program, WXIN is not associated with or funded by the Communications Department, and no classes are offered in conjunction with the station. Many communications students, however, are members of the organization, and a faculty member from the department, Philip Palombo, serves as professional adviser to the station.
In early 2008, WXIN launched NIXM, an Internet-only radio station, to take the place of WELH. For more than a decade, veteran WXIN DJs were permitted to utilize WELH-FM on weekends through an agreement with the Wheeler School, however Brown University bought out the agreement and took over the weekend hosting duties of WELH in 2006.
WXIN is located in the Ducey Student Media Center in the Student Union Plaza along with The Anchor, Rhode Island College's weekly newspaper, and RIC TV, Rhode Island College's on-campus television station. WXIN had previously operated at the 580 AM frequency during the early 1980s, and for a time in the later 1970s utilized the call letters WRIC.
90.7 WXIN Rock Hunt
Since the mid 1980s, WXIN has featured a Rock Hunt battle of the bands competition during March and April to determine the best local acts. Held at Providence's iconic The Living Room on Rathbone Street, four preliminary shows yield three finalists, who compete for cash prizes in in Week 5. Past winners have included Vega in 2006, the Boston Jolly Pirates in 2007, and Saturday at Nine in 2008.
Personnel (2008-2009 Year)
- General Manager: Michael McKenna
- Program Director: Dennis Ruzzano
- Business Director: Christopher Buonanno
- Production Director: Nicholas J. Lima
- Sales Manager: Mike Fratus
- World Music Director: Rafael Pajaro
- Alternative Rock Music Director: Rob Duguay
- Urban Music Director: Rui Montilla
- Metal/Loud Rock Music Director: Mandi Krajewski
- Promotions Director: Dana Johnson
- Promotions Director: Barry Nickerson
- News/Sports/Talk Radio Director: Robert Masse
- Traffic Director: Larry Cunningham
- Faculty/Staff Adviser: Vincent Flemming
- Professional Adviser: Philip Palombo
- Webmaster: Tim Staskiewicz
- Technology Adviser/Consultant: Steve Cooke
Notable alumni
Many former members of WXIN have moved onto successful professional careers in the radio, TV, and entertainment industries. This list of people includes:
- Matt Allen: WPRO-AM Producer/Talk Show Host
- John DePetro: WPRO-AM Middays[1][2][3]
- Jeffrey Derderian: former WPRI-TV reporter, former co-owner of The Station nightclub[4]
- Ted Edwards: Formerly WPRO-FM
- Bill George: Program Director, WHJJ-AM, Providence
- Mike Gonsalves (Dr. Metal/The Doctor):WHJY-FM, On-Air Personality (died in The Station nightclub fire)[3][5]
- Nancy Hall: Q105 New London, CT, Morning Co-host
- Tony Mascaro: Music Director, WPLJ-FM, New York, New York
- Mike Montecalvo: Morning Anchor, WPRI-TV
- Davey Morris: Assistant Program Director/Music Director, WPRO-FM, Providence
- TJ Napp: now Tony Banks-(formerly Pro-FM Providence, WPLJ New York, Y100 Miami and Mega 103.5 Miami). Currently a voiceover talent at http://www.TonyBanksVoiceovers.com.
- Steve Pascale: WPRI-TV
- Mike Roberts: Program Director, WCRN-AM Worcester, MA
- Tim Staskiewicz: former WHJJ-AM Producer & News Reporter. Currently Online Content Director for ClearChannel in Washington, DC
- Chris Tyler: APD/MD WXKS-FM Boston
- DJ Venom: Popular club DJ/producer/artist, of Volume Productions
Notes and references
- ^ Smith, Andy (2004-07-14). "Talk-show host DePetro leaving; The outspoken radio personality accepts a job at a Boston station". The Providence Journal.
- ^ Smith, Andy (2007-02-08). "Controversial talk show host John DePetro returning to R.I. DePetro replacing Barber at WPRO". The Providence Journal.
- ^ a b Barry, Dan (2003-02-22). "Fire In A Nightclub: The Town; An Emptiness Made Crueler By Closeness". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Barry, Dan (2003-02-25). "Death in the Nightclubs: The Club Owners; Scrutiny Focuses on Club's Owners". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Carbone, Gerald M. (2003-03-20). "Mike Gonsalves, 40; To late night fans, he was 'The Doctor'". The Providence Journal.