WVKC


WVKC is a 1,000-watt radio station in Galesburg, Illinois. Knox College is the station licensee, authorized by the Federal Communications Commission.
WVKC is a student-operated radio station of Knox College. The call letters were originally chosen to stand for "The Voice of Knox College", although that catchphrase is not in active use. WVKC was known as "Radio-Free Galesburg" until as recently as 2005, when students decided on "No Sale Radio," again emphasizing that WVKC is a non-commercial, not-for-profit organization. In 2006, students opted to change the name to simply "The Voice," a slogan used by the station in the 1970s and 1980s.

Format

According to station lore, WVKC's official mascot is "Zippy the wonder bat." Though appearances are uncommon — usually occurring in the station's library — there are many bats living on the fourth floor of Knox's George Davis Hall, the same space that currently houses WVKC.
Any student is welcome to become a DJ, with no experience necessary, and are free to play music of any genre. Members from the community have also contributed to the on-air schedule, contributing rock, jazz, gospel, and latin formats.
The station also features live web broadcasting for remote listeners.

History

Founded as an experimental AM radio station in the 1920s. WVKC has been operating continuously for more than 50 years, making it one of the oldest college radio stations.