WJCU held its annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, April 24th giving awards and recognition to members of our all-volunteer staff. Also announced that evening were the newly elected director staff and a big “thanks!” to all of our graduating seniors.

With the close of the spring 2008 season, Station Manager-elect Ashley Ortiz will assume the top role at 88.7FM. Ortiz is taking over for Station Manager Chris Hooton. The graduating senior was honored for his tireless dedication to the station with several awards, including 2008’s “Director of the Year” and “Student Broadcaster of the Year.”

Hooton has been an active member of the staff who has also served as Personnel Director, teaching our young DJs the ropes of on-air broadcasting. Currently serving as operations director, Ortiz, who also won a scholarship, will move to her new job starting with the summer 2008 schedule. Both are pictured above with General Manager Mark Krieger.

The success of our community-minded station lies with the new generation of students who take over for those who graduate. This is why WJCU honors a “Best Apprentice.” We are lucky to have many DJs up for this award, and 2008’s went to to the Friday afternoon drive DJ, Katy Finucane. Katy is pictured to the right with PR Director Sarah Levicky, a 2008 Scholarship winner.

With a mix of both student and community announcers, WJCU honors a DJ who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Bill Peters is 2008’s “Community Broadcaster of the Year.” In the last year, he has celebrated his 25th year on 88.7FM and orchestrated two community concerts. Peters is pictured to the left at his celebratory 25th Anniversary-on-the-air concert.

As a radio station, we strive to produce the best content as possible for our listeners. 2008’s “Best Production Piece” was awarded to WJCU’s dynamic duo of Adam LaSota and Andy Knox. The hosts of “Music to Break Things By” were recognized for their hilarious and well-produced Spring 2008 promo. LaSota and Knox are pictured at right with 88.7FM’s John Roddy.

At WJCU, we are a group of dedicated volunteers working together with different backgrounds, talents, and skills. Pictured below from left to right are a few of those volunteers including graduating Production Director Eric Simna, tv anchor and scholarship winner Diana Orabovic, senior Public Affairs Director Mike Rowe, Chris Hooton, and host of “The Undiscovered” Peter Niro, Thursday afternoon drive Heights DJ and TV reporter Rachel Porter, scholarship winner and Sports Director Sean Fagan, and hidden in the background is the one and only DJ Cripple, Programming Director Diana Orabovic, and graduating News and Web Director Rob Duns.

A very big thank you to all of our hard working DJs, directors, volunteers, and listeners for making this year one of WJCU’s finest! Keep listening!

Arts on the Heights takes a look at this year’s Fusion Fest at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland’s Theatre District. Listen in to Uncle Fred’s special report in Arts on the Heights Episode 23.

For more information, check out the official website here.

 Arts on the Heights (Episode 23 - Fusion Fest) [1:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

88.7FM is once again teaming up with the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event. Last year at John Carroll University’s first Relay, over $100,000 was raised, the most of any school its size nationwide. This year we hope to raise over $120,000 to assist the American Cancer Society with research, support, and preventative measures in fighting cancer.

WJCU is teaming up with J.U.S.T.I.C.E, a social justice group at John Carroll University. Together we have a Relay team of 15 members strong, who will be relaying this weekend from 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26th to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 27th. Registration begins in the Lombardo Student Center IM Gym at 12:00.

If you would like to make a secure donation in any amount to our team WJCU/Walking for JUSTICE, please follow this link. For all of your help, and on behalf of the 10 million Americans suffering from cancer, thank you for your support.

If you would like to learn more about John Carroll University’s second annual Relay For Life event, check out their official web site at www.jcu.edu/relay. Make a date to stop by this year’s Relay! The activity will begin on the Hamlin Quad in front of the famous JCU Grasseli tower and then move to the Varsity Gym once the sun sets to continue all night long.

Great for first-time opera goers, the Opera Cleveland presentation of La Boheme is not to be missed! Uncle Fred, our “Arts on the Heights” reporter attended the opening night performance of La Boheme and has provided it with some of his best reviews of the season!

Set in Paris during the 1800’s, the costumes, sets, and passionate acting will immerse you in the theme. The songs, sung in Italian and translated with subtitles displayed above the stage, will immerse you in the emotion.

La Boheme will end it’s performances at the State Theatre this Saturday, April 26th! Don’t miss this chance to see such a wonderful theatrical experience in person!

 Arts on the Heights Episode 22 (La Boheme) [1:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Stop on down to Cleveland’s historic Waterloo District this weekend for a spring community arts festival. Join the many art galleries and unique shoppes near East 156th Street and Waterloo Road on April 19th all day. As the evening rolls around, stop in to the free receptions from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Arts Collinwood Gallery previewing the All-City Arts Show and Vision Gallery featuring amazing deals on local artwork.

Looking for a way to prepare for the fun family activities, art galleries, deals on local artist creations, and great food? Listen to Uncle Fred’s special edition of “Arts on the Heights: Waterloo” below and check out www.artscollinwood.org for more details to get ready for this great community event!

 Arts on the Heights Episode 21 (Waterloo) [1:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The John Carroll University production of “Working” the musical is now playing on the John Carroll University campus. Uncle Fred has marked Episode 20 of “Arts on the Heights” with some background on this play running April 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th at 7:30 p.m. and April 6th and 13th at 2:00 p.m.

Looking at the hard working people who are overlooked in today’s fast-paced society, Working is a must-see in John Carroll’s Kulas Auditorium. For directions to John Carroll click here.

Tickets are $7 at the door or just $5 with advance purchase by calling the John Carroll Box office at 1-216-397-4428.

 Arts on the Heights Episode 20 (Working) [1:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download