50th Year Celebration for WUMF

Rebecca McPherson
Contributing Writer

Any student who has ever walked into the Student Center here on campus, has listened to WUMF. WUMF is our student run radio station here on campus, it is run by student DJs and Station Manager Autumn Koors Foltz. WUMF is not only a radio station played over the speakers on campus, but can also be found on the airways of any radio in the county. Something you may not know about WUMF is that this is the station’s 50th year on air. Although the radio station has changed over 50 years, WUMF has always been a popular station to tune into from people around the county.

WUMF was founded in 1972 founded shortly after University of Maine at Oronos’ station WMEB. WUMF is one of five University of Maine system radio stations.

Although WUMF has been around for 50 years, it took a hiatus during COVID, according to Foltz. WUMF Faculty Advisor Dr. Stephen Grandchamp says that he saw a negative impact on in-person clubs during COVID. Because of that, there was a point where WUMF did not have any live shows during the week. Within the last year, WUMF went from having no DJs to having 50, “the growth has been amazing,” Foltz said.

Foltz is hoping that this number will continue to grow as time goes on.

WUMF has many things on the horizon for their 50th year: unveiling a new logo and slogan for the radio show, as well as many fun events like the Disco that was held in the Landing on Nov. 5th at 8pm.

Foltz talks about wanting as many voices on the air as possible so that they have a good mix of different and eclectic tastes. Any student who is interested in becoming a WUMF DJ should reach out to WUMF to complete an interest form and will be instructed from there.

People are able to tune into WUMF by going to 91.5 or streaming through their instagram at @WUMF91.5.