Radio Practicum as creative outlet for students
Student reflections on the Radio Practicum course offered at Bethel College
Bethel College offers a variety of elective-style courses. From photography, graphic design, and ceramics, to jewelry and strength training, Bethel has plenty of courses for students to choose from.
Radio Practicum is one of these featured courses, and it is always a popular choice, evident by the long wait list for the class each year.
In Radio Practicum, students run their very own weekly radio show, broadcast on KBCU-FM 88.1. During their session, students are free to express themselves in many different ways. Some DJs choose to have guests on the show, ask them questions, and get their opinions on topics.
Other DJs on the KBCU radio station have used AI services to generate playlists that fit a certain theme they are maintaining for that day. One DJ does live broadcasting of Thresher sporting events, and another plays country music and talks about the weather. The possibilities are endless.
Reese McCord, from Newton, is a first-year DJ. McCord shares that her favorite part of the course is “getting to talk with my sister for fun.”
McCord has a show with her twin sister Mateya on Fridays from 12 pm to 1 pm. Those who tune into their show can expect to hear a lot of “rock, Michael Jackson, or anything seasonal,” McCord informs.
McCord encourages her fellow students to get involved with radio, stating, “it’s like a fun break, but a class at the same time.”
This course is often repeated by students. Not because they do not succeed, but quite the opposite, in fact. Students seem to enjoy this class so much that some even end up taking it each semester they attend Bethel.
Radio can be enjoyed by many. The frequency of the broadcast goes from here in North Newton to roughly Hesston. If listeners go online to the website (KBCU-FM 88.1), it will broadcast anywhere in the world, allowing more ears to hear what the students are up to.