听麻豆社鈥檚 WJCU 88.7 FM received global recognition yesterday as representatives from the (ISBC) traveled from Australia to present the station with the 2024 ISBC Station of the Year trophy and banner. The award recognizes WJCU as the top college radio station in the world.
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The trophy presentation, held at 2 p.m. in the D.J. Lombardo Student Center, was broadcast live on WJCU and attended by a spirited crowd of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The celebration marks a significant milestone not only for the station, but also for the Tim Russert Department of Communication and the broader JCU community.听
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鈥淚 can鈥檛 say enough about the talent, passion, and dedication of our students at John Carroll,鈥 said Jasen Sokol, Director of WJCU. 鈥淲inning this award is a testament to the high standards they鈥檝e set鈥攏ot just in their programming, but in every aspect of the station. This year alone, they raised over $81,000 in our annual Radiothon to support WJCU. They鈥檝e truly taken the station to the next level.鈥
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Adding to the fanfare, University Heights Mayor, Michael Dylan Brennan, issued a proclamation declaring April 14, 2025, as 鈥淲JCU Station of the Year Day鈥 in University Heights.
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鈥淭he city celebrates WJCU,鈥 said Mayor Brennan. 鈥淚t enriches the culture of University Heights and offers a diversity of programming that isn鈥檛 found on other radio stations. Radio is alive and well in University Heights thanks to WJCU.鈥澨
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Among those in attendance was Terry Babic 鈥67, one of WJCU鈥檚 original founders, who continues to host his show 鈥淢usic and Memories鈥 every Saturday at 11 a.m. on WJCU 88.7 FM.
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鈥淭his recognition should encourage students to make a difference,鈥 Babic shared.
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The ISBC team鈥檚 visit spanned two days and included a full schedule of activities with students and faculty. They hosted lectures and workshops on podcast development, digital storytelling, and media consumption habits of Generation Z.
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During the visit, Phil Vinciullo, Founder and Managing Director of the ISBC, shared his enthusiasm for WJCU鈥檚 success and the partnership ahead.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 clear that in 2024, JCU connected with audiences better than any other. I look forward to JCU and ISBC building a lasting relationship,鈥 Vinciullo said.
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On Monday afternoon, the ISBC led a panel discussion in Donahue Auditorium titled 鈥淭he Future of Media: Global Perspectives and Local Voices,鈥 where they discussed everything from emerging career paths in media to advice on how students can become the next ISBC winners. While the ISBC recognizes a top radio station across the globe, it also recognizes students individually in categories such as sports broadcasting, audio production, news features, and social media execution.听
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This week marks a historic moment for WJCU and underscores the station鈥檚 growing impact across the globe. The collaboration with ISBC opens new doors for student media at John Carroll, offering inspiration, international exposure, and hands-on learning experiences that will continue to resonate long after the trophy has found its place on the shelf.
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