By Joshua Robison / The Jambar
The beginning of April marks the start of the second WYSU FM 88.5 Support Month.
WYSU is a Youngstown State University-licensed public radio station serving the community for the last 55 years with general news broadcasting and classical and jazz music.
During the months of October and April, WYSU puts a large emphasis on the importance of public radio not only to the university but to the Youngstown community.
WYSU Director Gary Sexton said the audience plays a key role in keeping the station running.
“An important piece of how we fund ourselves is membership, so listeners who appreciate the program enough to actually help us pay for it … but we’re also always looking for new members,” Sexton said. “We spend the month making our case on the air, on our social media about what the station provides the community, what the station might provide you as an individual.”
Sexton said WYSU has made an impact on the community.
“We’ve been a really positive representative to the city, to the region. We have a wide reach in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. So it’s kind of a lifelong opportunity for people that we provide,” Sexton said.
The station provides multiple services to the community including the Youngstown Radio Reading Service in partnership with Goodwill. This service provides aid to people with physical or mental disabilities that affect reading.
WYSU is also involved with the Emergency Activation System that broadcasts necessary information in case of emergencies such as severe weather, amber alerts and national emergencies.
Sexton said that most goals for Support Month are monetary, as 56% of revenue comes from outside sources through donations and memberships. Sexton was confident that his prolonged support from members and YSU is far from running out.
Positions are available for YSU Students to be part of productions, engage in library work, assist the front office, network with other nonprofits in the area and travel to events, including those at Blossom Music Center.
Listeners can visit the radio station’s website at WYSU.org where it offers a 24/7 classical music stream and a general information stream.
