Local student-run radio station ACRN “The Rock Lobster” is receiving national recognition for its talents after making it to mtvU’s list of the top 10 college radio stations in the country.
“It’s incredible. You want to be a part of something like ACRN while in college but you don’t expect something like this, to be recognized by MTV,” said Scott Smith, the review editor for ACRN and a senior studying English. “It’s awesome and we hope to win the Woodie.”
ACRN is ranked as one of the top five college stations in the U.S. by the National Association of College Broadcasters, deemed first runner-up for best student organization in 2012 by The Athens NEWS, and nominated in 2006 as the “Best Internet College Station” by the College Music Journal.
Due to recognition such as this, Kory Kasler, ACRN’s promotions manager and a senior studying marketing and media management, decided to enter ACRN for the award.
“I just noticed that there was a competition for college radio and it went from there,” Kasler said.
Kasler also added that the recognition will bring some positive attention to OU and ACRN, despite its party school reputation.
“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.”
Kevin Rutherford, ACRN’s recently retired editorial director and a senior studying journalism, said he is also thrilled about ACRN’s recent success.
“I’m really excited about this and for ACRN. I just love it,” Rutherford said. “It speaks volumes and I’m so proud of ACRN.”
The Woodie Awards is known for honoring musicians and musical outlets across the country based on quality and popularity. Past winners of ACRN’s current category of competition include the University of Miami, Ithaca College and the University of Puget Sound, only one of which — Ithaca College, who won in 2008 — remain in the contest.
“It would mean a lot for ACRN 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.”
To win the award, ACRN needs to collect more votes than the other nine stations, which include stations at universities such as Humboldt State University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, DePaul University, University of Washington, SUNY Potsdam, Appalachian State University, Loyola University Maryland, University of Pittsburgh and Marywood University.
“It's exciting to know that we're in the top 10,” said Matt Bemer, the public relations manager for ACRN and a junior at Ohio University studying English and sociology. “This next week is going to be stressful trying to get people involved and voting but I hope in the end it all pays off and we win a Woodie.”
Those interested in voting can visit www.ratemyprofessors.com/collegeradiowoodie before polls close March 9 at 12 p.m. The Woodie Awards will air on mtvU and mtvU.com March 18 at 8 p.m. during the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, where the winner of the Woodie College Radio Award will be announced.
“Why not vote for something you’re a part of?” Rutherford said. “It’s a school spirit thing and it’s great for all of us. It’s just one click.”
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