WZRD Chicago, 88.3 FM

I am honored to serve as the station manager at WZRD Chicago, 88.3 FM at NEIU, which has the distinction of being Chicago's only freeform radio station. Freeform radio is a very special style of radio that requires at least 6 different genres be played during one time slot of three hours. This means that every time the station is on, the listener experiences the unexpected. Because we are not a commercial station, we run important public service announcements such as how to identify the symptoms of a stroke, where to find tutoring in Albany Park, and how to get tested for HIV and AIDS for free on-campus or in the community. We also are Chicago's only source for "Democracy Now!" which provides a fresh perspective from the media thanks to Amy Goodman. On Thursday nights around 10:30 PM, we are delighted to offer "Thursday Night Live" a show that features a different local band every week. WZRD has been a dynamic source of live music for many years, and has in the past featured great bands, such as Ministry and the Smashing Pumpkins.

We are a collective, so all of our DJs are required to use the moniker of "Wizard" so that no one is identified by their individual names. This gives us strength in unity and humility. Last fall, the station featured several great events: Cindy Sheehan, "The Peace Mom," with a prelude by Mark Kroos (named "Best Guitar Player of 2011" by Guitar Player magazine); An AIDS Awareness/ Prevention Event featuring Francois LeRoux, the Stick and Move Dance Crew, Arick Buckles of IL ASAP (Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy), and Dr. Brett Stockdill of NEIU. On Veteran's Day, WZRD hosted a benefit "Honoring Our Veterans" that raised money for Josh Misiewicz, USMC born 6/25/88. Josh lost both of his legs while serving in Afghanistan, and is the nephew of our campus locksmith,

Art Misiewicz. Never before has WZRD hosted so many great events with the assistance of so many wonderful organizations such as NEIU's Independent newspaper, the Justice Studies Department, the Sociology Club, the Muslim Student Association, the True Vine Bible Club, the Veteran's Club, and the Hip Hop Club as well as the Theta Chi Omega National Sorority, and the members of the Theta Omega Phi Fraternity among others.

Upcoming events include a Fat Tuesday event in the Eagle's Nest, a documentary series in the cafeteria room 003 where we will feature cutting edge documentaries from March 28 through April 4, times and films to be announced soon. Another event we are spearheading in conjunction with the documentary series takes place on Friday, March 30, from 12-2 pm and is a fundraiser to help the hungry in Chicago co-sponsored by the True Vine Club, the Muslim Student Association, the Conservative Alliance, and the Theta Omega Phi Fraternity.

We are always looking for new Wizards (our disc jockeys). It takes a 3-hour-a-week commitment, even during the holidays! Because my own time slot is on Sundays, I was here both on Christmas as well as New Year's Day. It is a fabulous way to build your resume, especially if you are interested in communications, theater and media or sociology, but all NEIU students are welcome! You can find us at 88.3 FM for about a ten-mile radius from the main campus, and you can stream the station live via the internet at www.wzrdchicago.org.

Everyone- students, faculty and staff are welcome to stop by the station for a tour or to fill out an application (which are right next to the front door) at WZRD in E-059 just below Beck's Books, next to the vending machines in the student lounge downstairs.