When I’ve told people that I work for my college’s radio station over the past few years, I’ve gotten a variety of responses, the most common one being, “radio is a dying field.” Besides thinking this isn’t true, I also think that WQAQ is so much more than just radio.
In my sophomore year of high school, before I had even started to think about what college I wanted to go to, I knew I wanted to be a part of WQAQ. After meeting the station’s former radio host and public relations manager Samantha Prevot at my first “big girl job” writing about the New York Rangers for FanSided’s Blue Line Station, we became fast friends.
I tuned in to Sam’s radio show on the WQAQ website every week until she graduated, whether it was when she called it the Pop-Punk Power Hour or just Sam’s Jams. I’d send her my song requests every week (making sure they weren’t explicit, of course) and would listen eagerly for my shoutout that night. Sam introduced me to so many of my favorite artists through her show, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever that she got an hour every week to share the music she loved with anyone who happened to tune in.
Fast forward to my junior year of high school, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was doing virtual college tours in bed on my laptop (and falling asleep during some of them). I didn’t feel excited about going to college until I started researching Quinnipiac.
When I finally got to tour QU in person in October 2020, I left in awe of the media suite, the SOC, and, of course, the WQAQ station. I officially made my decision in February 2021, but I had known that I wanted to be a Bobcat for a while.
To say that the first few weeks of freshman year are overwhelming would be an understatement. Despite this, I joined over 100 organizations on DoYouQU before even attending the engagement fair during the first week of classes (if you know me, you know I like to overprepare, so this shouldn’t be a shock). I emailed WQAQ’s then-programming manager Carly MacManus to get a slot on the schedule and get trained as soon as possible, and Strawberry Skies hit the airwaves during the first week of September.
During my senior year of high school, Strawberry Skies was an outlet for me to write about my favorite artists and songs. After serving as editor-in-chief for a DIY digital music zine, I wanted a passion project that was just for me again. It felt fitting to name my radio show after that blog, because it served the same purpose – letting me yap about music for nobody else but myself.
I quickly realized that being a part of WQAQ could be so much more than just walking into the live room once per week, recording my show, and leaving. It could be so much bigger than just doing something for fun by myself, for myself.
I started getting involved with the executive board, sending song suggestions to then-music managers Will Deblis and Bella Maugeri and making (mediocre) Canva graphics for then-PR manager Jackie Vagnone. By the end of my first year, I was named one of the new music managers.
All I’ve wanted in life for as long as I can remember is to help make people happy. It sounds cheesy, but I applied the same philosophy to my time at WQAQ. I started reaching out to local concert venues to form relationships with them so we could send general members to concerts. I started planning music-related guest speaker events to make alumni feel appreciated and help current members gain insight. It became clear that while I was having fun doing it, everything I was doing at WQAQ was to help other people get even more out of the organization.
At the end of my first semester as music manager, I was promoted to programming manager, where then-general manager MacManus let my imagination run wild when planning events. From a Women’s History Month music industry panel to a tie-dye night, I put my whole heart into everything that we did as an organization. My favorite part of it all was meeting and mentoring new members, most of whom would make up my executive board when I became general manager at the end of my second year.
Going into my third year with the organization, my first as GM and my last as an undergraduate student, my goal was clear: make WQAQ a place where anyone and everyone could feel included, welcomed, and celebrated. I felt confident in myself and confident in my team to make it happen. And despite some bumps along the way, I really think that we did.
We had 60+ shows on the schedule both semesters this year, we covered tons of high-profile artists’ concerts, we had incredible guest speakers from Universal Music Group, Live Nation, the NBA and more, and we hosted the most fun events with our friends in organizations like On The Rocks and PRSSA. Despite all of this on-paper success, my favorite moments were our bonding nights playing Jeopardy, Bingo and Kahoot, and painting and making playlists together.
I’ve met so many awesome people through this organization and grown even closer with some of my best friends and my amazing partner (Hi Connor!). That says a lot about the community we’ve all created together.
I truly think this has been WQAQ’s most successful year in a long time. Most people thank me for making WQAQ into what it has become over this past year, but like I said, I never saw it as being about me. I couldn’t have done this without everyone around me.
To all of the general members, specifically anyone who ever told me that WQAQ was their safe space on campus or that our Monday night meetings got them through their toughest weeks, you have no idea how much that means to me. That is all I ever wanted to accomplish as this station’s leader. You all make this station what it is, and it’s the beautiful place that it is because of you.
To my current executive board, thank you for helping make so many of my college radio dreams come true over this past year. What we accomplished together will forever have a huge piece of my heart.
To former production manager James Kassan, you always brightened my day even when I was stressed out of my mind. I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve done this year, but I’m even prouder of you for passing that production manager torch. We’re all better for knowing you.
To former music manager Gabrielle Liberatoscioli, I feel so lucky to be graduating with you. Your enthusiasm and positivity are like no other, and they will take you so far. I’m so glad you’re running it back for one more year of The Jukebox as a graduate student in the fall.
To former pop and indie genre manager Kaya Donah, I continue to be in complete awe of your talent every time you submit a new gallery. You have helped our visual content level up significantly and I couldn’t be more thankful. I can’t wait to see what moments you capture next.
To the managers continuing on the board next year, I am so proud of everything you’ve done thus far. Take what you’ve learned this year and make the station even better.
To former multimedia manager and new general manager Becca Steeves, I knew when I trained you last spring that we were similar, but I truly feel more connected to you every time we speak. You have been my right hand throughout this year and I couldn’t be more confident in you heading into this next year. Keep being yourself, and remember that I’m a text, call, or short walk across York Hill away whenever you need me.
To former music manager and new programming manager Amanda Geraci, how far you’ve come since you wandered into the station as a confused criminal justice major last winter constantly amazes me. I’ve admired your passion and dedication as a co-worker and your kindness and huge heart as a friend from the moment I met you. I feel honored to have the opportunity to watch you chase your goals and achieve things you’ve dreamed of for so long.
To returning folk and country genre manager Gena McGivney, words can’t describe the pride I feel when I think about how much you’ve grown over the past year. Watching you gain the courage to speak your mind and explore your creativity has filled me with so much joy. You are going to be the best mentor to the new e-board.
To former hip-hop and rap genre manager and new music manager Zach Reagan, I have known you were special since you stayed in the station talking to me until two in the morning the night of the student media summit back in August. You are going to do such great things, and you honestly already have, even if you don’t realize it.
To former punk and alternative genre manager and new web manager Christine Federico, I know we met later on in our college journeys, but I feel so beyond lucky that we crossed paths this fall. I have never met anyone funnier, kinder, or more detail-oriented. There are so many times when I felt like you were the glue keeping us all together. Keep being that, please.
To the new executive board, I hope you know that we couldn’t have crafted a better group if we tried. I have no doubt that you will take WQAQ to new heights.
To new production manager Casey Wiederhold, I hope you know that you’ve come such a long way from the scared psychology major taking photos “just as a hobby” in the M&T Bank Arena press box last winter. Your kindness and resilience will take you so far in this world, but before that, they’ll be such great assets to the e-board. Go crush it for me.
To new social media manager Riley Moger, it has been an honor to share our love of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo this year. Every time you tell me that I had a hand in your music industry journey, my heart swells. You are capable of amazing things and I can’t wait to watch the WQAQ Instagram feed to see them happen in the fall.
To new music manager Brynn Pinkes, I am so glad you let me talk your ear off at admitted students’ weekend last April and that we somehow ended up here together a year later. You have such a kind heart and are bursting with potential. No matter what you do next year, you have already made me so proud.
To new pop and indie genre manager Mia Daly, thank you for asking me for a radio show while I carried a box up the Ledges stairwell for you during move-in. You are the little sister I never had and no matter how protective I feel over you, I feel even more fulfilled watching you soak up every second of your college experience and create the life you’ve always wanted.
To new punk and alternative genre manager Lindsey Franco, watching you blossom over the past two semesters has been so exciting. Whether it’s talking about our ongoing emo phases or listening to a hilarious story about one of your classes, running into you and getting to chat makes every day better. I know you joke about “fighting the monsters” of whatever you’re struggling with, but I hope you know you’re more than capable of defeating all of them.
I wouldn’t be writing this in the WQAQ general manager’s office right now without the people who came before me. To every WQAQ general and executive board member I’ve had the pleasure of meeting since I got here in August 2021, thank you for being a part of my journey.
To all the alumni I mentioned before, in addition to Jon Hammer, Jess Kenney, Steph Pensa, John Franklin, Andrew White, Jack Main, Neha Seenarine, Jon Surratt, Melanie Careri and anyone else who ever answered the phone and gave me advice, I feel so lucky to know you and be mentored by you. I hope I’ve made you proud.
To WQAQ advisor Nicole Healy, thank you for being my rock personally and professionally over this past year. You always know what to say and when to say it, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished together this year. You’ve truly made me a better leader and a better human.
With all of that being said, even though I won’t be a member of WQAQ’s executive board anymore, I’ll be sticking around to pursue my master’s degree in public relations in the fall. I plan on hosting Strawberry Skies, Ringside Radio and The Slumber Party and covering concerts for as long as the new station managers will put up with me.
So, the next time someone tells you “radio is a dying field” when you tell them about WQAQ, please remember my ramblings above, and remember all of the wonderful things we made happen together. In my eyes, this community couldn’t be more alive.
Thank you, WQAQ, for everything, and as I always say: peace out, Cub Scouts.
