91.3 FM WBNY Celebrates 30 Years on the Air

October 2012 marks WBNY’s 30th anniversary as an FM station, and all are invited to join WBNY members and alumni in celebrating.

In October 1982, Buffalo State’s radio station 91.3 FM WBNY, Buffalo’s Original Alternative, transitioned from an AM station to an FM station.

"Thirty years for a college station to be broadcasting on an FM band is pretty special," said senior journalism student Nick Stutzman, current general manager of WBNY. "We are not only celebrating our station, but also what has made us a great station: local music and communication."

Al Riess, reference and electronic database librarian at E. H. Butler Library, was involved at WBNY for 22 years as a deejay. "People make lifelong friendships and associations out of just having the radio station in common," said Reiss, who will moderate the "Radio Built for the Future" seminar.

The seminar is the first of three anniversary events, and will take place in E. H. Butler Library 210 on Thursday, October 4 at 12:15 p.m. "Students and professionals working in radio and television will be panelists at the seminar," Riess said. "We’re getting a good cross section of people in the media to talk about different topics regarding the future of radio."

The second 30th anniversary event, "Showcasing Student Weather Forecasting: A Unique Opportunity," will take place in Classroom Building B119 on Thursday, October 4, at 3:00 p.m. At this event, attendees will learn how they can provide focused weather forecasts on media such as radio, tour the Buffalo State Meteorology Lab, and see a presentation on the tools available for developing forecasting.

The final event, "91.3 FM WBNY 30th Anniversary Concert," will take place at the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall on Friday, October 5, at 7:00 p.m. Performers include local artists Dotsun Moon, Whiskey Reverb, Intent to Sell, and Dr. OOO. Tickets to the concert are $3 for students and $5 for the general public, and can be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office. "We are trying to represent all kinds of music and put on a good show for our faithful listeners," Stutzman said.

Students and alumni from the station encourage people to help celebrate the anniversary, and hope students will join the WBNY team. "The radio station can give people a lot of great experience while letting them be crazy and creative," Riess said.

You don’t have to be a communication major to be involved at WBNY or to attend the 30th anniversary events. "We offer so much besides just being a radio station that you can't afford to not get involved somehow," Stutzman said. "Once you join, you’ll never want to leave!"