The station has played a vital role in the community over those sixty years and will continue to do so for many years to come.
But, do you know that the station was born out of a vision that sprung directly from the community itself? Here is its story as documented by founder Bruce Petrie, Sr. in his history of the station written for the Cincinnati Historical Bulletin, Summer 1981.
Cincinnati, in the late 1950's, offered very little listening opportunities for classical music fans. Those who could afford to attend the symphony or opera, or who had their own record collection, had options. But those who looked to their radio hoping to listen to classical music every day did not.
Daniel Ransohoff, Bruce Petrie and Addison Lanier, local classical music enthusiasts and members of the Queen City Association, worked to bring classical music to the local radio dial. They served as the Association's committee in charge of finding a solution. They first worked to bring WOSU (via a repeater station) to the city. At the time, WOSU was broadcasting 48 hours of classical music during peak times.
Publicity from the Association's efforts bore fruit - over 1500 postcards and letters were received in support of bringing classical music and fine arts broadcasting to the city.
Not long after, Ransohoff discussed the idea with Walter Langsam, President of the University of Cincinnati, in the hope that the university would be interested. However, to his regret, he learned that such a project was not likely given the many other demands on the University's resources at that time.
Through it all the dream persisted. The founders did not tire in their efforts to attain their goal. By October 1959, after almost three years of meetings, explorations and discussion, the University of Cincinnati, after much persuasion and investigation, changed their position and indicated an interest in obtaining an FM license.
On November 3, 1959, the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees decided to establish an FM radio station and apply to the FCC for an FM license.
On December 30, 1959, the FCC announced that the University of Cincinnati had been granted a license to operate WGUC on 90.9 megacycles.
How were the call letters, WGUC, chosen?
On September 21, 1960, at 4:00 pm, almost three full years after the Queen City Association launched its campaign, radio station WGUC went on the air. And the rest, as they say, is history – a history of accomplishment, growth, inspiration, and joy; plus, some failure and heartache too.
UC's chimes ring out and chief announcer George Brengel announces the birth of WGUC
Carolyn Watts talking about listening to the first day of WGUC
The community brought WGUC to life. The community nurtured and sustained it. The community is what will keep WGUC strong and vital well into the future. Thank you!
What has WGUC meant to you? What do you remember about your first experiences with WGUC or its programming through the years? Tell us in the comments below.
