SUNY Oswego’s student-run radio station WNYO 88.9 FM will host its annual 24-hour Radiothon in partnership with the non-profit organization Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) and University Police.
Now in its third year, the Radiothon will take place from 5 p.m. Friday, May 1, to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. During the event, student hosts will go live on-air with music, talk and news programming. Special interviews with representatives from OCO and University Police will also be featured throughout the broadcast.
As the event approaches, students will be able to sign up for time slots, with priority given to members of the graduating Class of 2026.
New this semester, the event will include a concert with local performers on May 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the lawn of the Marano Campus Center, in recognition of the hard work and dedication demonstrated during the 24-hour Radiothon. The event will also serve as a final fundraising push for Oswego County Opportunities.
The concert, which also will broadcast live on WNYO, will feature performances by Stratosphere (Acoustic), Rosacea, See Through Faded, Moon Talk, Bone Machine and On The Brink.
Students and faculty can donate to Oswego County Opportunities through tip jars located in the WNYO station in the Marano Campus Center. Donations will directly fund OCO's educational, emergency and mental and physical health programs.
“This event is an amazing opportunity for the radio station and campus body to connect with a great, community-driven organization in Oswego,” said WNYO Director of Public Relations Kirsten Widrick, a dual major in public relations and childhood education. “The Radiothon is an exciting finale to the spring semester and gives students the chance to build relationships with the community while expressing their creativity and promoting meaningful causes.”
“We are happy and proud to continue our association with Oswego County Opportunities this year,” said David Crider, WNYO’s faculty advisor and associate professor in the communication studies.
“They have been a terrific partner in helping us to develop Radiothon from a fun idea to salute graduating seniors and raise money for a good cause into something that is now an annual event," Crider noted. "Being the third year of this broadcast now, it has been so fulfilling to see our students come up with new and creative ideas each spring and follow them through to their full execution. Radiothon gets bigger every year, and we hope that will allow us to make a bigger impact on our community through donations made to OCO.”
University Police Officer Kevin Ermann also shared his enthusiasm about the event.
“Getting involved in the Radiothon again this year was an easy decision for us,” Ermann said. “Community policing isn’t just a phrase we use, it’s something we try to live out every day. Events like this give us a chance to connect with students in a positive, genuine way while supporting a cause that does real good in our county. When WNYO reached out, we were honestly grateful to be included.”
Ermann noted that WNYO is always a great partner for the Radiothon.
“We enjoy working alongside the students, seeing their energy and watching them take the lead on something meaningful,” Ermann said. “We have a lot of confidence in them, and we’re glad to play even a small role in helping make the Radiothon successful.”
“Joining the Radiothon is more than just fundraising; it’s about building awareness, strengthening relationship, and bringing people together to help our neighbors thrive,” said Hilary Wilton, OCO’s community relations specialist. “Whether it’s housing support, food assistance, early childhood programs or services for older adults, the funds and visibility generated through the Radiothon allow us to continue meeting critical needs across our community.”
Oswego County Opportunities is a private, nonprofit human service agency serving 15,000 people each year through more than 50 programs. The mission of Oswego County Opportunities says: “OCO inspires partnerships and provides services that empower people, support communities and change lives.”
WNYO, the Laker Radio Network, is a student-run, full power, Federal Communications Commission-licensed (and regulated) FM station broadcasting on 88.9 in the Oswego area from the Marano Campus Center. Since 1969, WNYO has given students the opportunity to explore the wonders of broadcast radio. What started out as a few students messing around in a dorm has grown into a large and important part of the Oswego community, organizers said.
For more information, email wnyo@oswego.edu.
-- Submitted by WNYO