WAUS Fall Fundraiser

This week, WAUS 90.7fm, located on the campus of Andrews University, completed a second week of its semi-annual fundraiser. This occasion is especially significant this year as the station celebrates its 100-year anniversary. The classical music station is a fan favorite of many listeners in the Michiana area and beyond and features ad-free listening at all hours of the day. I started working at the radio station as a student announcer nearly three years ago and have looked forward to our fundraisers ever since my first one. Not only is it enjoyable to connect with the other announcers as we promote the station throughout the week on air, but it’s meaningful to interact directly with listeners when they call in to pledge their support. I asked some of the staff at the radio station about their perspectives on the fundraising event to get a better idea of the purpose of fundraising and what they like most about it. And if you love to listen to classical music during studying or relaxing, consider a pledge of support by calling us at 1-800-553-9287!

What is the fundraiser, and what's the point of it?

Chelsea Lake (Music Director): So, our fundraisers are really an opportunity for us to remind our current members that we need their support and that they're still a really big part of what we do here. We do it for them because of them. And we just ask that they help contribute in order to keep the station going and support the programming. It's also an opportunity for us to convince people who have been listening for a long time and maybe never been a member to consider a pledge of support, consider what they can give, and to remind them that public radio is free for them, but it's not free. If they would consider a financial contribution, it allows us to keep bringing them the service that they're enjoying without the need to put it behind a paywall.

How much does it cost to run the radio station in a year?

So we run a very tight ship because of the fact that we don't take any government funding. You know, I was just at a conference recently where other stations were talking about how their budget is like three to four million dollars. Ours is $500,000, so we run a very, very tight ship and we make the dollars work hard.

What's your favorite thing about fundraiser?

Chelsea Lake: It's really fun to hear people talk about how they use the station. And I also like working with the students. It's the only time I really get to spend a lot of time with them and we get to chat and be silly when the microphone is off and all business when the microphone is on.

Jeff Smith (General Manager): It's an opportunity to connect with the audience and you know, it’s backwards to what a lot of people are used to when you call a radio station: to win something, for example. So it might be a bit of a culture shock to call to give your financial information instead. But it's really neat because we know specifically who our supporters are and it’s a great opportunity for us to connect with listeners.

Glenn Russell (Host of Scriptural Pursuit): Last Friday I had the privilege of participating in the WAUS fundraiser with Chelsea and with Jeff Smith. I have been a regular listener to WAUS for many years and I’m very thankful to have a local classical radio station. As host of Scriptural Pursuit, it has been a privilege to interact with hundreds of guests, mostly faculty from Andrews University. Studying God’s word and learning from the guests has enriched my life. WAUS continues to be the home of Scriptural Pursuit and the radio station is an important link with the campus and the community. It is my prayer that God may use this media ministry to touch many lives for eternity.

Teddy Weithers (Marketing Director): Working directly with the students. I enjoy meeting the students because it’s the one time we really get to know who they are and all their quirky Gen Z personalities.