At a glance
On August 14, 2013, WETD 90.7 FM moved their Main Studio to Alfred State's new $33 million Student Leadership Center after submitting a letter of notification to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
On August 14, 2013, WETD 90.7 FM moved their Main Studio to Alfred State's new $33 million Mark Amman was instrumental in the move. From blueprints to completion over a four-year period, he worked closely with architects, engineers, and the Alfred State administration in relocating WETD to its prime fourth-floor corner location. WETD now overlooks the common Park Space and new Ever Green Cafe below, and has a beautiful view of the quad, surrounding hills, and village of Alfred.
WETD’s new cherry wood broadcast tables and racks were handcrafted by Professor Amman, designed to allow the DJ easy access to key equipment. Professor Amman, WETD staff, and Alfred State IT technicians worked long hours to connect servers, phone lines, and more.
When turning on the 3500W transmitter on Thursday, however, it failed to start. Professor Amman approached local radio stations and engineers from across the country for help. One brought special tools to identify the issue, while another engineer traveled two hours from Jamestown to Alfred to meet Professor Amman with a small spare 150W transmitter so WETD could broadcast minimally. When turned on, the smaller transmitter was able to kick the larger 3500W transmitter into full power.
WETD Advisor Rick Herritt says, “It was an amazing opportunity to see the care and concern fellow broadcasters in our region—like WCKR (of Hornell, New York), the Family Life Network (of Bath, New York), and 89.1 The Point at SUNY Brockport—have for each other and for college radio stations like WETD. WETD thanks each broadcaster for their continued support and encouragement over the years.”
WETD is celebrating 40 years of broadcasting at Alfred State this year; the AM station WVAT preceded WETD by 10 years. Also, WETD was just accepted as Associate members of the Wellsville, New York, Chamber of Commerce to honor WETD's key volunteer efforts at community events and fund-raisers, such as the Main Street Festival and the Balloon Rally's Clambake. WETD has been awarded the Alfred State Student Senate's Community Service Award, now titled Civic Engagement Award, five out of the past eight years (out of more than 80 campus clubs and organizations). The station’s all-volunteer DJs focus on understanding and meeting the needs of their local communities, making WETD's leadership very proud of their students.
WETD 90.7 FM is an educational member of the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA), as well as the College Broadcasters Inc. (CBI). WETD hopes to again bring a team of WETD DJs and Board Members to CBI's Conference this October in San Antonio, Texas.
The SLC's grand opening will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2013, during Alfred State Homecoming/Family Weekend. WETD DJs and alumni will be on hand to personally greet and give tours of the new WETD studios.