Meet U92FM: West Virginia University’s college radio station

Students looking for experience working in a radio station or being an on-air personality need look no further than the Mountainlair.

U92, West Virginia University's official radio station, has what they are looking for.

Kelen Conley, a senior TV journalism major, joined the station in 2005.

"U92 is important because it gives Morgantown an alternative to WVAQ and WCLG," Conley said. "You can have U92 on 24 hours straight and never hear the same song twice."

On the air since 1982, WWVU-FM, also known as "The Moose" or, most commonly, U92, is a 24-hour radio station for both students and residents of Morgantown.

The station is a non-commercial, educational radio station "dedicated to serving both the WVU and Morgantown communities as a teaching and training facility, while at the same time providing alternative programming to our listeners," according to its website.

The station features all kinds of music, ranging from reggae to bluegrass. It also offers sports-based programs.

U92 offers jobs not only as radio DJs, but also as part of its production, news and sports departments.

Interested parties can even apply to work for its promotional department, but, as a University training facility, applicants must be WVU students.

When applying for a job at U92, it is suggest that students turn in their applications during the first week of classes, although the station does accept them throughout the year.

Karilynn Galiotos, a senior journalism student, has worked at U92 since the summer of 2007, starting off as a reporter before eventually being promoted to news director.

"The great thing about U92 is that it's literally your opportunity to get your foot in the door, especially with jobs in the broadcast media field," Galiotos said.

Galiotos said working for the station can help newcomers become experienced in the field and help out their resumes.

"Each department will have their own separate criteria when hiring, but generally we're looking for engaging and creative people who are willing to spend time learning about the art of radio," she said.

Conley, who performs in Morgantown under the rap alias B Hyphen, said the station is often a starting point for future careers for DJs.

"I've seen many students come through the news or sports department and go on to established positions in their field fresh out of college," he said.

Personalities and station employees can also win industry awards for their work.

The U92 station is located next to the Gluck Theater in the Mountainlair. The station also occasionally hosts events in the common area.

For those without a radio, the radio station also offers online streaming of the station at http://u92.wvu.edu, which also offers a programming schedule.

Conley said U92 is more than just a radio station.

"It gives you an escape away from the average daily grind of being a student," he said. "Very rarely do you come into U92 and walk out feeling worse than you did before you came in. It's that special."