by Stephanie Wiewel
I found out about WIDB during my Sophomore year at SIU from my suitemate, Sarah Maher. Before being active in WIDB, I would often accompany Sarah to WIDB remotes for Dawgs Nite Out or events at the student center.
Through these events and the welcoming environment that WIDB had for anyone who was a little on the strange side, I decided to join the station as a “behind the scenes” member, helping with remotes here and there.
During my time at WIDB I went from just lending a hand at remotes, to being News Director writing music reviews, to ultimately taking over as Operations Manager where I was in charge of new DJs and also hosted my first On-Air show during my senior year at SIU. I loved getting to work with new DJs to develop their show ranging from gossip shows to 80s rock and everything in between and watching them rise through the ranks at WIDB.
Some favorite memories at WIDB include just hangout out at the station catching up on classwork or just chatting with fellow staff members Mike Maxwell, Sarah Maher, Amber Dorney, Chris Crow, Maggie Batson,
Kevin Hart and several others including former WIDB’ers I was able to meet at the 45th reunion. The ugly Christmas sweater parties,
staff parties, Cardboard Boat Regatta, and bowling events were always a fun time as well.
Because WIDB is such a hodgepodge of mismatched things (including the furniture in the station itself) it always seemed to be a welcoming environment for all majors – not just those limited to Mass Comm and that is what made it a fun station to join.
Since graduating at SIU, I have worked at STARadio Corp. in Quincy, Illinois where I have worked as on On-Air Talent for WCOY 99.5 and Real 92.9 in addition to serving as the Production Director for the 5 stations STARadio houses for the past 3 years.