Will Grogan: Live!
Hello everyone! Pardon my excitement, but this is my first blog and the truth of the matter is I am not entirely sure where to go with it. Not that there isn't plenty to talk about, but it's deciding what to talk about and what surprises to save for later that is a little tricky.
I guess, in my first blog, I should introduce myself a bit. My name is Will Grogan. I am a communications major in the Class of 2011. I am from Mt. Laurel, NJ or as I introduce myself, South Jersey.
But those are pretty standard college age introductions. How about we find something more interesting? I am the Vice President of Student Government, a Resident Assistant in Driscoll, one of our freshman dorms, and a DJ for our radio station, WUSR. I think the DJ post is what I most missed this summer away from Scranton so let's talk about that.
I started as a DJ last semester because it is related to my major and it just seemed like inexplicable amounts of fun. I was right about the fun. I confess to being a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I love skiing, pole-vaulting, surfing and those kinds of things. But I think the rush of being a live on-air talent for a radio station is equal to or greater than the rush from any ski slope I've been on.
The first most interesting thing is that I have no co-host. I get to chose my own music and what I want to discuss. When I first got started, I was so nervous that I would just have 2 hours of "dead air," meaning no sound at all. Well I still have my moments, everyone makes mistakes, but it has been great watching myself get that on-air presence and confidence up from the stuttering, quiet first show. Now they have to drag the mic away from me at the end of my show.
You would think that with a radio show, it would be a fairly one way conversation. You and I would both be wrong in that thinking. It is very interesting getting texts and calls and instant messages and e-mails during the show. And not just, "Hey Will... Give me and Cait a shout out!" People will actually chime in with their opinions about whatever I am talking about. I've actually covered a lot of topics; from college dating to homelessness in America to what makes a great summer. I get people stopping me on the Commons to ask for a show about dealing with ex-girlfriends and boyfriends or a show about where to eat cheap around Scranton.
My favorite is when people outside of our Scranton family call in. I used to be in the 12-2am time slot. I would always say during the show that if people are in their cars, they need to turn up the radio and stay awake. I once had a guy call in and say that he was driving home from a late night at the office and he heard that and that he was staying up and getting home safe. It was one of the coolest moments in my life. To think that I was actually reaching people, which is why I got into my communications major in the first place.
And this year, I am in the 8-10pm time slot when more people are awake and listening is exciting for me. This year, I am starting to bring on guest co-hosts to each show to talk about themselves and life and whatever else comes up. Live entertainment is so exciting and truly is one of my favorite parts of Scranton.
As a shameless plug, you can listen to our radio station at wusrfm.com any time. I'm on from 8-10pm every Wednesday so listen in.
- Will Grogan '11