Rebecca Cole
Executive Staff
Photo by Fringer Cat on Unsplash
The Sewanee Fog Radio is the student run radio station here at Sewanee that offers students the opportunity to express themselves through music and commentary. It creates an outlet and provides entertainment for the surrounding community. The Sewanee Fog has been challenged during this pandemic but is enthusiastically recruiting new students as DJs, staff, and listeners.
The Purple reached out to KT Pritchard (‘22), the current station manager for The Sewanee Fog, to speak on their experience with the radio station.
Pritchard hopes to “see students be enthusiastic about being in the radio station” and “maintain a safe and comfortable environment in which students can express themselves through music.” The station welcomes new DJs, especially freshmen, and is excited about the possibility of growth in student involvement.
Pritchard would like to “utilize the space we have in a meaningful way and foster feelings of belonging among participants.” They acknowledge that college can be a stressful time for students and “taking an hour a week to unwind and play music is one way to be mindful during the school year.”
The Purple spoke with Kathryn Elder (‘24), a student who has hosted a radio show. Elder stated that “It was a good way to express myself through music and to step outside my comfort zone in doing so.” The Sewanee Fog allowed her to explore her passion while also building skills like public speaking.
Elder also mentioned that, “The radio station seemed like a fun way to spend extra time.” While college is an extremely busy time, students still seek those opportunities to explore extracurriculars. The Sewanee Fog is an experience that encourages expression and individualism in students.
This past year, the station was working through online programs, such as Discord, to amplify student voices while not able to meet in person. However, this semester, students are back in the station with the ability to DJ and learn in person.
Madison Reid (‘24), a student show host last semester, stated that, “I am really glad the radio is back in person, just from a practical standpoint. Discord radio was not very effective.” But it still gave Reid the ability to “try out a new music based activity,” since music and radio are “nostalgic and heartwarming” to her.
Station staff and students now hold a newfound appreciation for in-person station management and show hosting. This environment fosters student connection and relationships in the station as well as outside. It allows students the opportunity for hands-on work, and Pritchard reminisces that, “The station has become such a safe place for me throughout the years, and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
They hope to continue to provide this outlet of expression through music and encourage students in all areas of campus to become involved.