Since hitting the airwaves in 1971, local student-run radio station ACRN–The Rock Lobster has produced music, shows and editorials with the hope of receiving national recognition.
More than 40 years later, that dream has finally come to fruition.
ACRN, currently ranked one of the top five college stations in the U.S. by the National Association of College Broadcasters, decided to compete for the 2012 College Radio Woodie Award at mtvU after Kory Kasler, ACRN’s promotions manager and a senior studying marketing and media management, discovered the chance to enter.
Late Tuesday, mtvU announced ACRN to be among the top 25 stations in the U.S. and in the race to compete for the title of No. 1 college station in the nation.
“I just noticed that there was a competition for college radio shows, and it went from there,” Kasler said. “Now we are in the top 25, and I’m really excited we got to our goal, and I hope we reach the next one.”
Kevin Rutherford, the soon-to-be retired editorial director of ACRN and a senior studying journalism, said he is also thrilled about ACRN’s recent success and appreciates the chance to leave on a good note.
“I’m really excited about this and for ACRN. I just love it,” Rutherford said. “With this being my last two weeks at Ohio University and my last week at ACRN, it’s great to go out with a bang. I just love it, it speaks volumes, and I’m so proud of ACRN.”
The mtvU Woodie Awards are known for commemorating lesser-known bands and radio stations across the U.S.
Past winners of ACRN’s mtvU category, college radio stations include the University of Miami, Ithaca College and the University of Puget Sound, according to the mtvU site.
Ithaca College, a 2008 winner, is also in this year’s lineup. Winners of the radio station competition not only have the ability to adopt the status as best show in the nation, but they are also recognized during the televised mtvU Woodie Awards and on the MTV television channel the following year.
Winners are selected based on quality and popularity.
“It would mean a lot for ACRN (to win) because we put a lot of work into the station and it would help us promote later on,” Kasler said. “Our hard work is paying off, and it just means a lot to us.”
The recent attention has the potential to help OU shake off the reputation of No. 1 party school by boosting the reputation of both OU and ACRN, Kasler said.
“It just brings a lot of good attention to OU,” Kasler said. “We are known as the party school, and this is a good way to show that we are way more than that.”
After a night of celebration, ACRN returned to their campaign focusing on the next round of competition of becoming a contender for a top 10 spot.
“I was very exited, as was the rest of ACRN,” said Matt Bemer, the public relations manager for ACRN and a junior at OU. “The next feeling we got was that we have to work hard and get top 10. We got started right away to get people active and voting.”
Rutherford said he hopes the group’s recent success will help them to recruit later on, but also create a sense of school unity, spirit and pride for the university and its students.
“Why not vote for something you’re a part of,” he said. “It’s school spirit and great for all of us. It’s just one click.”
To vote for ACRN, visit blog.ratemyprofessors.com/collegeradiowoodie or ACRN.com before polls close Feb. 27 at noon.
“Of course I would vote for (ACRN) and everyone else should to,” said Laura Cicigoi, a freshman studying nursing. “OU is the best school, and I’m proud of it.”
lf328610@ohiou.edu
