WFHU

Infobox Radio station
name = WFHU


city = Henderson, Tennessee
area =
slogan =
branding = "The Lion"
frequency = 91.5 MHz
repeater =
airdate =
share =
share as of =
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format = Variety
power =
erp = 10,500 watts
haat = 94.0 meters
class = C3
facility_id = 22547
coordinates = coord|35|27|40.00|N| 88|40|51.00|W|region:US_type:city
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns = WFHC-FM (1979-1979)
WFHC (1979-2005)
owner = Freed-Hardeman University
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website = [http://www.fhu.edu/radio fhu.edu/radio]
affiliations =

WFHU (91.5 FM) is the callsign for the radio station out of Henderson, Tennessee. and is owned and overseen by Freed-Hardeman University. It broadcasts with an effective radiated power of 10,500 Watts. The station is run by a select number of students, overseen by a staff General Manager. Ron Means is the current General Manager of WFHU.

WFHU, 91-FIVE's format is primarily Jazz, with classical and rock as secondary formats. Sunday mornings, called Gospel Sunday, has several religious programs as part of its form, ending with the live broadcast of the worship services of the Henderson Church of Christ, then going back to its regular format. WFHU also air the Freed-Hardeman Lions and Lady Lions Basketball games, which are simulcast on TV-40, the university's cable television station when it does not air live broadcasts.

History

The idea of a radio station was started by members of the Board of Trustees of Freed-Hardeman College in 1965 to be the core of the new Communications Department being developed. John R. Hall was chosen the first General Manager and the funds for the station was partially supplied by the 'Freed-Hardeman Associates', a fund raising group associated with the college. The call letters WFHC was chosen. A student staff was collected by Mr. Hall and the initial station was built in the lower level of the Student Center. Although the staff worked to get the station operational in 1966 the first broadcast happened during 1967.

In 1979 WFHC increased its power from 10 Watts to 3000 Watts. Also the station was moved from the student center to the Bible, Communications and World Evangelism Building, now known as the Gardner Center in 1982. In 2000 the power was increased to 10,500 watts.

In 1991 WFHC hosted its 25th Anniversary by hosting an open house which allowed former members of the WFHC staff to take over the station. They were joined by senior members of the staff at the time. There was also a special dinner with members of the Board of Trustees and former General Manager John R. Hall as special guests. In 2006 WFHU celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

Due to the non-availability of the call sign "WFHU", which was assigned the United States Coast Guard, the call letters "WFHC" was not changed when Freed-Hardeman College went to University status in 1989. It was not until 2005 when General Manager Ron Means was able to get the call letters released by the Coast Guard, when the call letters officially chaged to ""WFHU"".

The WFHU motto WFHU 91-FIVE (originally WFHC, 91-FIVE) was created by Ray Eaton, a former student staff member, former General Manager and current Director of Broadcasting for FHU. The unique logo, which had '91' with the call letters WFHC/U on top on the right side of the number, and the spelled out 'FIVE', with a line separating the call letters and FIVE, was created by student staff members David Florida and Jay Simmons in 1990.

Current Programming

Shows on WFHU include: The Jazz Flight, The Rock Shop, Gospel Sunday, Good Morning from FHU, Rock'd, Big Band Sounds, Woodsongs, and Decrypted.

The Jazz Flight: Bringing both instrumental and vocal jazz, this show is a unique sound on the radio dial. Being one of the first shows on the radio it is the longest running program that WFHU has.

The Rock Shop: Starting at 5:30p CST The Rock Shop brings its listeners a wide variety of rock which fits in with the variety format of the station. It starts off with soft rock and progressively gets harder throughout the night. There are two sub-shows in the Rock Shop and these include Rock'd and Decrypted.

Rock'd: This show brings the listener the best in Hard Rock, Metal, and Alternative music. Airing on Wednesdays from 10p-1a, there are also interviews of many of the popular band members of today.

Decrypted: Decrypted is a show that has a peculiar format. While claiming to be a technology news show it brings more than that to the table. For example, most of the show informs the listeners on current news of computer hardware and software, nex-gen consoles, and other electronics, but in episode five of the show host Russ Wyatt and his guests discussed survival strategies in the event of a zombie uprising. The show is somewhat comical with much sarcasm, getting the news across while playing a variety of different music. The show airs Sundays at 10p-11p

Links

* [http://web.fhu.edu/Radio/ WFHU official website]
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* [http://www.fhu.edu Freed-Hardeman University]