Course Spotlight: Radio Practicum
A look at how Radio Practicum students help run the Bethel College radio station
Bethel College has a plethora of different elective classes to choose from such as 3D design, Band/ Choir, ceramics, and so many more. However, many students consider Radio Practicum to be one of the best, often having a waitlist almost as long as the actual class size itself.
This course is Bethel College’s student-run radio station and is located in the Luyken Fine Arts Center. Professor and Theater Director Damon Klassen is the advisor of this course, but he would be the first to reassure people that the students are the ones in charge of what they want to play, as long as it is radio-approved.
Radio practicum is a great way for students to express themselves. Students play genres such as country, pop, rap, religious tunes, Latino music, and so many more. Some of the student DJs also enjoy talking sports, playing games, and sometimes singing.
The reasons students take this course are ongoing. Some signed up for this course because it is required for their major. Others, such as current DJ Colton McCarty from Bird City, Kansas, took the course “for a chance to play music for people, talk about new music releases, and talk about useless music knowledge.”
The station’s frequency goes from Bethel College campus to about Hesston, however, through the KBCU website, the station can be heard from all around the country.
Another current DJ Jenna Mahoney of Gardner recommends others to take the radio as an “outlet to talk and share music.”
DJ Daniel Gonzalez-Arevalo, from Newton, shares he advocates that students should enroll “because of the freedom you get.”
The KBCU radio station constantly has music playing on it with student DJs throughout the weekdays, but if anyone is interested in hearing from the students mentioned here, Colton’s show is from 1 pm to 2 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Jenna has hers from noon to 1 pm on Thursdays, and Daniel’s is noon to 2 pm on Fridays.
Just search KBCUfm88.1 to tune in!