FCC Approves Centenary’s Expansion of Campus Radio Station to Class-A Professional Public Radio Station

SHREVEPORT, LA -- The Federal Communications Commissions has approved Centenary College’s plans to expand its KSCL-FM Radio Station to a 24-hour-a day professional public radio station beginning next fall, President Kenneth L. Schwab announced today (Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002).

Schwab said the FCC’s recent action follows a four-year effort by students, faculty and community volunteers to broaden the station’s range, offer a professional radio experience to Centenary students and provide a community service via additional local and public radio programming.

“This change will make KSCL a viable learning tool for our KSCL student announcers and communication majors,” Schwab said.   He also announced that the college has signed an agreement with Public Radio International that will bring to the KSCL airwaves well-known programs such as Marketplace Afternoon Business Report, the BBC World News Report, Afropop and World Café.

“Of course, our students will continue to air their own programs on KSCL, and we also hope to air our home basketball games over the station,” he said.  “This will give our athletics program great exposure.”

The upgrade from 150 to 3,500 watts will result in a primary coverage area that extends roughly from Haughton on the east and Shreveport Regional Airport on the west to Stonewall/Wallace Lake on the south and Benton on the north.  The station will be on the air fulltime throughout the year.

Centenary announcers have been training for the change during the past semester and will have access, beginning in January, to a new course in radio broadcasting.  During the spring, upon receipt of several anticipated grants, a new tower, antenna and transmitter will be purchased.  A community advisory board will also be assembled, under the chairmanship of Jerry France of Shreveport.

Schwab noted that the sign-on for the “new KSCL” is tentatively set to coincide with the Fall 2003 President’s Convocation and the beginning of the fall semester.  The station will continue its location at 91.3 FM. 

-30 -