Huntington College dedicates new radio tower

FOR RELEASE — April 8, 2002
HUNTINGTON, IN—Huntington College will dedicate a new radio tower and 100-watt transmitter tomorrow, April 9, at 4:00 p.m.  The ceremony will take place outside the College’s broadcast studios on the first floor of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. President G. Blair Dowden and communications professor Lance Clark will make some brief comments before flipping a switch to activate 24-hour broadcasting on the new frequency, WQHC 105.5-FM. 

“Over the past decade, our radio program has grown from very modest beginnings into a well-run student station that not only meets the needs of our campus, but also seeks to serve a wider listening audience as well,” said Dowden.

Nicknamed “The Fuse” by the college students that run the station, WQHC has been in development at Huntington College for several years. On air since 1994 as a one-watt experimental campus outlet, the HC Communication Department achieved a milestone last fall when it secured an FCC license to construct a tower and operate a 100-watt transmitter. The new signal now extends beyond the campus to reach most of Huntington County.  

The mission of WQHC is to “serve our campus, community and listeners around the world by providing programming and Christian music that edifies the body of believers and brings glory to God.” 

WQHC carries a unique mix of alternative Christian music. Programming also includes Huntington College chapel services and athletic events. The radio signal is available at 105.5-FM and on the Internet at www.hcradio.net. The online broadcast is the most popular feature of HC's award-winning web site and has received fan mail from around the world. 

The new tower is located near the intersection of County Roads 300 West and 800 North on property leased from Mr. Doug Teusch. Due to the inclement weather, the dedication ceremony will be held at the broadcast studios inside the Merillat Centre for the Arts on the Huntington College campus in Huntington, Ind.  

Broadcast communication is among more than 60 academic concentrations available from Huntington College.  Huntington is a Christian college of the liberal arts offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. US News and World Report consistently ranks Huntington College among the best comprehensive colleges in the Midwest.