Best of CASE District I Award
 

Institution: Connecticut College

Title of entry: I Can't Live Without My Radio

About this entry: WCNI, Connecticut College’s radio station, has a rich and interesting history that this feature explores even as it fixes its gaze towards the future. The articles explores how the radio station has evolved, how it survived COVID shutdowns, and where it is heading in the near future. It utilizes the current student manager as its central POV which provides a unique and very present perspective.

The why of now sprung from the aforementioned return to full strength and schedule following COVID, the anniversary of the station’s founding, and the eve of the station receiving a new transmitter, thus increasing its broadcast range yet again. It also sought to highlight the station’s position in the modern radio landscape that tends to be dominated by corporate stations and among other college stations in the area who are often in partnership with another entity and/or offer less than 24-7 content.

The piece ultimately sought to remind alumni and current students of the radio station, its history, and reinvigorate a sense of pride in a campus institution that has made great strides to evolve alongside its industry without losing its sense of self. The writer also sought to demonstrate how its influence and place in the community has extended beyond the campus including its literal broadcast range as well as how it brings in members of the larger community to participate without losing its role as a place for students to explore an interest in radio broadcasting.