KWSC Radio (originally known as KFAE, now KWSU) is one of the oldest and largest university-owned radio stations in the United States. It began broadcasting from the Mechanic Arts Building on the WSU campus on 1922 December 10.
In the early years KWSU Radio shared the same frequency with KTW, a station owned by the First Presbyterian Church of Seattle. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulated the use of the common frequency with a "Time Sharing Agreement" in 1931. KTW Radio was given exclusive use of the frequency at limited times--Sundays, Thursday evenings, and holidays. Problems arose with this arrangement in 1956 when KTW began to expand its broadcasting time. KTW petitioned the FCC for permission to operate simultaneously with KWSU; KWSU countered by filing for unlimited use of the frequency. The FCC held hearings in 1960 in an attempt to solve the problem. After investigating the situation, the FCC awarded KWSU the right to broadcast from 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 p.m. each day; KTW, designated a "daytime" station, was allowed to broadcast during daylight hours and also from 11:15 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
The station has grown tremendously both in its physical facilities, broadcasting time, and programming capabilities. It has expanded from its first location in the College of Mechanic Arts and Engineering to a home in the Edward R. Murrow Communications Center, which was completed in 1976. The Center also houses KWSU-TV and classrooms and offices for the Department of Communications. The first course of instruction in radio was offered at Washington State University in 1929. Courses in broadcasting are offered as one of six possible majors in the Department of Communications. Originally scheduled for only four and one-half hours of air time per week in 1922 at 250 watts of power, KWSU now broadcasts with 5000 watts for over 120 hours per week.
The materials provide insight into KWSC internal operations, including sports and news, weather coverage on both radio and television across weekday, weekend, summer and vacation as well as communication practices such as monitor report and daily bulletin practices from 1964- 1968. The collection also includes staff correspondence which contains official communications addressed to KWSC staff members from crew leads, managers, and the Department of Communications.
The materials are divided into six folders based on subject and ordered chronologically within those.
This collection is open and available for research use.
Copyright restrictions may apply.
[Item description]
KWSC Records, 1964-1968 (Archives 424)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
This material was donated to the Washington State University Libraries on Aug. 25, 2017 by Owen Johnson, a WSU student who graduated with a B.A. in History with distinction in 1968, and retained as UA2017-10.
Graduate student Uwakmfon John processed this collection in May 2025.
One folder of athletics programs and related published materials was moved to the Washington State University
Publications: Athletic Department
The published KWSC (later KWSU) radio and television program bulletins from 1955-1977 are available at the WSU Libaries and can be found by searching the library catalog.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.