In today’s modern world, radio and TV stations play a very important role in displaying communication, creativity, and community bonding. Eureka College’s radio station, EC 103.1, and TV station, ECTV are starting to become a very vital source of media, not only for communication majors, but also for the students on and off campus. Eureka’s radio and television stations allow their staff to gain broadcasting experience, develop critical thinking skills, and use their voice through the use of hands-on learning. Although these media outlets are improving the educational experience and forming a more connected school environment, EC 103.1 and ECTV are just getting underway.
Dr. John Malone and Charles “Bud” Broyles originally managed similar stations at Lincoln College. Unfortunately for Lincoln faculty, staff, and students, the college closed down in May of 2022 due to a significant decrease in enrollment. Since then, Malone has worked as the associate professor of communication and general manager of radio operations, while Bud works as the operations manager of television, both at Eureka College.
Earlier in March this year, EC 103.1 was granted a permit by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), allowing the station to be aired at 103.1 FM. Although this is a great start since moving to Eureka, the staff of EC 103.1 agrees that there is still lots of work that must be completed.
Malone, dating back to when he was a kid, had lots of time to become interested in radio operations. After enrolling in high school, a friend of his offered him a part time job at the local radio station in his hometown, which was great for receiving hands-on experience. From that point on, the rest is history.
EC 103.1’s mainstream alternative rock format is one that is not being done at any other station in the area, as started by Malone.
“It’s brand new, and we’re still trying to find an audience, and we’re marketing it as best as we can.” Malone strongly emphasizes the fact that the station is unique since it is a learning laboratory rather than a competing station.
“I’d like to have students take over a department and run it the best the way they see fit.”
Malone’s students, or as he likes to call them, his staff, become more involved every single day. Once he sees a student understand what they need to do and have control of that task, he’ll turn his student loose, allowing the student to work freely whether that is inside or outside of the studio.
“I had so many graduates last year, and we have a brand new staff outside of five people, so there has been a learning career of getting everybody up and running.”
As stated by Malone, he would like to see the students carry the reputation EC 103.1 has had in previous years, and have himself present as somewhat of a fallback, meaning someone the students can be tutored or trained by.
“I want to increase the brand awareness, continue to get students up to speed, and position us for a highly successful academic year where we can be competitive in multiple categories and awards competitions.”
Malone, along with his students, understand that this is a pause and rebuild type of year due to the amount of new students coming in, but they also see the amount of potential and development there is to be had.
Bud, who also works very hard behind the scenes, serves more on the television side of operations at Eureka College.
“They [my students] help me build content, and then that content is bred wherever we’re doing a shoot.”
Bud, who realizes that ECTV is short-staffed, which can have upsides and downsides, claims that he wants ECTV to simply expand.
“I want to bring new equipment in. Steadicams, jibs, you name it, I want it.”
Lexi Liaromatis, first year student and volleyball player at Eureka, really enjoys ECTV’s play-by-play commentating, which is later published on the Eureka Red Devils YouTube channel. Liaromatis appreciates the fact that ECTV’s sports commentators effectively explain and elaborate the rules of the game for those who are new to that particular sport.
“I definitely would like to hear more about academic clubs or anything else that is going on around school.”
Liaromatis prefers if both ECTV and EC 103.1 were more open to the public so that word about Eureka’s TV and radio stations can spread, which would allow both stations to successfully grow.
Overall, Malone, Bud, and Liaromatis are extremely happy to be at Eureka and appreciate everything that is done for EC 103.1 and ECTV. Although slight progress has been made since coming to Eureka, both the radio and television operations managers and staff understand that there is still lots of room for growth and improvement, something that is guaranteed to appear over the next four plus years.
