Nestled in the corner of the fourth floor of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) is Kean University’s best-kept secret.  Discouraging enough, that secret that shouldn’t be is WKNJ, Kean University’s very own student run radio station. After many bumps in the road, it looks like the newest Program Director and senior media and film major Emily Gabriel has finally set the course to smooth sailing.

“The radio station has had a big turn over in the last semester. We have one of the most active amounts of DJs since I started here in 2012,” started Gabriel. “We made big leaps towards goals such as online streaming and making WKNJ a presence on Kean’s campus.”  

In the last semester, WKNJ has accomplished more than it has in the last few years. They are finally getting word on funding for new and updated equipment, implemented a means of live streaming shows, a full staff roster of people who truly care about the status of the station, a rebranding of its logo and website, being present at the open houses and the rebirth of a Cougar Link profile where DJs can add events such as their shows and students can apply to become part of the WKNJ family.

Brandon Rossi, a senior media major with a minor in marketing knows the DJ life all too well after running his show B&B for almost two years now. “I am only one half of B&B,” said Rossi. “I honestly love doing it and I feel at home. Music is a big part of my life, being a guitarist and avid show-goer.” Rossi also says that his love of punk music has made him the person he is today, showing that the power of music and the freedom to broadcast it, is crucial.

As a busy student, it can be easy to walk right past WKNJ’s corner office at room 401 in CAS. But once inside, one would be surprised as to how much is behind a door that tends to go unnoticed. Inside the station are four different rooms, including the “main room” with a couch, two different computer work stations and a wall full of mail boxes for the WKNJ student staff members. From there, there are two separate recording rooms with microphones and other equipment for student projects.

The last component that keeps this now well-oiled machine running is what is known as the “On-Air” room. In this room, one can overlook the entire campus while they broadcast live on 90.3 FM to the surrounding area. There are three host stations, a board for mixing and leveling audio/music and other equipment that keep the DJs’ shows afloat. As previously stated, the DJ roster this semester is one of the biggest that the station has seen in a long time. Some of the weekly shows are as follows: B&B Punk and Hardcore Hour, World’s Greatest Podcast, Hey! Check This Out, Bee’s Buzz, The Racket Report, Talk Is Dan, DJ Who and many others. Anyone with the proper skills and knowledge can become a DJ at WKNJ and all shows are run by students, alumni or even professors.

As important as the DJs are, they aren’t the only aspect contributing to the new success of the station. WKNJ has about 10 to 12 student staff members who work day and night behind the scenes to make sure the station is being held to the highest of standards. Alongside Gabriel and her co-program director, Antonio Amorim, the station includes departments such as promotions, public relations, social media, music direction, public service announcements, events and station assistants.

“I contribute all of [this semester’s] achievements to my staff who have worked hard to help me accomplish all of this,” said Gabriel.

As for 2016, there is only one way to go and that is up. If the new budget plan is accepted, then the radio station at Kean University might become a staple of the campus instead of a hidden treasure. If interested in contributing to WKNJ in any way, visit its website at www.wknj903.com or email Program Director Emily Gabriel at gabrieem@kean.edu.

Some of WKNJ’s former and present DJs 
Photo courtesy of Emily Gabriel