Markayela Johnson
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Students at Winthrop University are working to revive the school’s online streaming radio station under the name Eagle Air, after a few setbacks in recent semesters left the station without a staff.

The station is currently automated and available online and through the TuneIn app. However, the stream was unavailable on TuneIn for a number of months after the server that hosted the signal was accidentally disabled by university staff.

The station’s faculty advisors in the mass communication department, Joseph Kasko and Mark Nortz, have worked to get the signal back online and hire a student executive board to run Eagle Air. Kasko is also executive producer of the Palmetto Report.

Promotions manager Joy King has been working with the other new members of the executive staff to revive the station.

“If our on air talent has any troubles, or comments or concerns while they’re doing their actual show we will be there to assist them with whatever they need,” said King.

King said the station has started recruiting new hosts and show ideas.

Winthrop junior Kayla McVay said she is interested in hosting a show for Eagle Air next semester.

“I’m a big fan of music so I’ll probably have a lot of music and I’m still debating on what type of segments I want to have,” said McVay.

“Right now I’m thinking about poetry segments or having guests join the show and just have a segment based on whatever we talk about.”

McVay said she has never hosted a radio show before, but she thinks this would be a good way for her to gain experience in the field of broadcasting.

Each new host would be responsible for a two hour show each week. They would also be required to pitch their show ideas to the executive board and complete a few hours of training.

However, many Winthrop students are unaware there is a student station on campus.

Junior Callie Glaser said she would be interested in listening to Eagle Air, after she was told about the station.

“Probably, especially if it had a good amount of variety on it,” Glaser said.

The station’s faculty advisors are exploring the possibility getting a low-power FM signal for the station, which is likely years away, but until then the station is available digitally. To listen, download the TuneIn app and search for Eagle Air.

Station leaders hope to have a student staff of announcers in place early in the spring 2019 semester.