WODU Student Radio Celebrates 40th Broadcasting Anniversary

September 16, 2013

WODU Studios DJ Alex Motteler in the broadcasting booth

Much like the university itself, WODU Studios has evolved to exert a significant influence with an extended reach. This academic year, the perennial student radio station marks 40 years of broadcasting from the campus of Old Dominion University.

WODU has grown from a simple radio station broadcasting throughout campus buildings to become the largest media organization at the university. It broadcasts to the campus and surrounding communities as well as the rest of the world through the Internet platform UStream.

"Since 1974, WODU has been a vibrant radio station for the Old Dominion University community, doing quality programming and providing hands-on opportunities for aspiring student broadcasters," said ODU President John R. Broderick. "With WODU's highly visible spot in the Webb University Center, and its continuing production of quality online radio and video programming, I'm confident the station will continue to serve the campus proudly for years to come."

ODU Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services Ellen Neufeldt noted the importance of having a campus radio station.

"WODU offers students, with a wide range of academic interests, an opportunity for experiential learning outside of the classroom while providing them with a voice that reaches well beyond campus," she said. "By harnessing the power of radio, students at ODU can impact a global audience through a dot-com community of diverse radio listeners."

Station general manager Alex McGinnis said the organization is excited to play host during the anniversary year to more concerts - particularly hip-hop and electronic dance music - and develop new partnerships that will further expand WODU's reach.

"From Top 40 to metal, we love it all and we are strong supporters of local Virginia music," McGinnis said.

In addition to quality on-air programming five days a week, WODU Studios offers an elite DJ department serving the community at student organization events, weddings, parties and other activities; an event management department capable of hosting and facilitating a wide variety of events; and a television production department, offering commercial production.

WODU Studios programming airs on campus television on Channel 70. For more information about the station or upcoming events, and to listen, visit the WODU Studios website.