ASHLAND — Hundreds of records and more than 30 DJs later, Ashland University’s student-run radio station, WRDL, logged another year of Vinylthon in the books Sunday night.
For the last seven years, Vinylthon has taken over WRDL for 24 hours. The last two years, the time frame extended to 48 hours.
The event consists of DJs who spin nothing but vinyl records on the radio for an entire weekend. It’s part of a national event run through the College Radio Foundation, which is a non-profit in New Jersey.
But according to WRDL’s faculty adviser and general manager, Derek Wood, the event has deeper meaning.
“It’s the one day a year when everyone can come together over radio and vinyl,” Wood said.
For Wood, the highlight of this year’s event came when seven alumni returned Saturday night and ran the studio for six hours. He said they hadn’t been on campus in years, and had the chance to share memories and support the student radio.
Students and staff also stepped in to help operate the station over the 48 hour duration of the event, culminating in a “joint effort,” Wood said.
Event history
Wood said for the first few years AU participated, WRDL was one of only a dozen or so stations to complete a full 24 hours. But as Vinylthon gained traction, more schools hopped onboard.
Last year, for the first time, the College Radio Foundation gave out an extra award to radio stations that completed 48 hours. AU achieved it last year.
This year, with the event lasting 48 hours, Wood said the station will receive a Golden Slipmat award. It will also receive a Distinguished Production Medal for its broadcast over the weekend.
Wood added that it’s great to see the student radio station receiving national recognition. At the end of the day though, the station remains committed to student success.
“At Ashland University, the motto is, ‘Accent on the individual,'” Wood said. “WRDL is an example of that 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.”
