On Wednesday, October 16, WLFR 91.7 Lake Fred radio celebrated their 40th anniversary on the air. In an interview with staff of the station, they discussed the change and evolution of the radio station over the past four decades as they reach this milestone.

WLFR is a college alternative radio station that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Chad Roberts, the station’s teaching specialist and general manager described the station as “not only for Stockton, but the surrounding community as well. It’s always been in some way a freeform station. William Grohs, one of the station’s community managers, described a time during the early 2000s when they attempted to stray away from the freeform aspect that had been a staple for the station. In an attempt to appeal to more listeners, they implemented a schedule that would run from Mondays to Fridays. This shortly implemented Triple A format only lasted a semester before they returned to freeform radio. However, the main thing that has always remained constant is its alternative and non-commercial nature.

Grohs started working at the station in 1990, six years after it began. He has been there to see the station evolve into what it is today. “A big change, we used to have to turn off the station at 2 a.m. in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s,” he said, “[…] start the day at 8 and end at two, we had to shut the radio down before the internet.” Now, the station runs music overnight, 24/7, with the use of a program, Megaseg, which the station’s DJs have programmed to play music based on what students and community members want to hear.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a difficult time for everyone, and WLFR was no exception. The station remained closed for six months, during which the Megaseg ran nonstop. “Even Covid couldn’t kill us,” said Grohs.

The station’s freeform format allows for a variety of DJ’s and genres, curating a unique experience for the listener base. From folk music to 80s newwave, “anything that’s in the top 40, you won’t find here,” said Mariella Negro, community manager at the station. “In a nutshell, it’s what commercial stations don’t do.” The diversity of genres makes anything possible: hiphop, Latin music, lofi, yodeling. The goal is to expose students to music that they would not find through traditional commercial stations.

Internships are available through a class in the communications department. However, students from any major or discipline are invited to join the station as volunteer DJs. No prior experience is needed and students can get training on how the station runs, as well as Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations for what is permitted on air on non commercial radio. After going through training, students are allowed to pitch a show and go live on air for one to two hours per week.

The station is actively looking to expand its creative outreach through a team to aid with community engagement, event planning, and outreach. Anyone interested in joining is invited to drop by the station located on the second floor of the Galloway main Campus Center for more information at any point during the semester.

Mariella Negro, a Stockton alumna, just took on her position as station manager this semester. She is focusing on student involvement and creating a space where students can come and be part of the station, where they can take on leadership positions and bring more visibility to WLFR.

The station kicked off their milestone anniversary celebrations with a performance by Rhett Miller, singer of the Old 97s, at the Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City on Friday, October 11. The party continued on October 16 in the Campus Center Coffee House, marking the official anniversary of Lake Fred Radio going on the air back in 1984. The event included live performances from Te Vista, The Sheckies, deardarkhead, and Malcolm Tent with 1-Adam12. WLFR’s own DJs spun in between sets.

Be sure to keep up with the station by listening to 91.7fm, or online at wlfr.fm.