Washington State University Radio and Television Services Records, 1922-1984

It was in December of 1922 that the college radio station, KFAE, first transmitted a weekly program to its' listeners at 250 watts of power. The three men most responsible for creating the station were: H.V. Carpenter, Dean of the College of Engineering; Frank Nalder, Director of General Extension Service; and Homer Dana, Professor of Electrical Engineering. The goals of the station they created were to provide an information and cultural service to a wide area of population, to draw on the expertise of the faculty and present their findings, to provide a vehicle for further research in broadcasting and to train young people in the use, operation and "human service" of radio.

By 1926 the station had changed to the call letters "KWSC" an broadcast programs three days a week. Since then KWSU-AM [its present name] has grown greatly in its physical facilities, broadcast time, and programming capabilities. The station has expanded from its first location in the College of Mechanic Arts and Engineering to its present home in the Edward R. Murrow Communications Center. As of 1987, KWSU-AM presently broadcasts at 5000 watts for over 120 hours per week. The station is affiliated with National Educational Radio and its successor National Public Radio. KWSU-AM also uses the wire services and audio of United Press International and the Associated Press.

KWSC-TV was granted special permission by the FCC to telecast a two-hour student orientation program on September 19, 1962. Since that first telecast the purpose of the television station has been to provide a primary public broadcasting service to the people of southeastern Washington, and to provide a learning opportunity for WSU students. KWSU-TV [name changed March, 1969] has its studios in Edward R. Murrow Communications Center where they have audio and video control systems and equipment among the most modern available. KWSU-TV, broadcasting on Channel 10, covers local public affairs, special events on the WSU campus, and many Cougar sports contests. The station is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service which supplies high quality, nationally produced program material. Upon the presentation of scripts, and with proper planning, students are also given an opportunity to produce programs for broadcast. KWSU-TV is a member of the National Educational Television-Radio Center, the National Association of Educational Broadcasters, the National Association of Broadcasters, and the Washington State Association of Broadcasters.