WUSB Provides Non-Commercial Radio to Long Island for 42 Years

This summer WUSB 90.1 FM Stony Brook has marked 42 years of Long Island non-commercial college radio broadcast service — providing a community forum for innovative and commercial-free radio with public service announcements, educational use, music of varied genres and cultures, community affairs and events, campus and local news, collegiate and national sports, and other student and community-oriented programming.

WUSB was originally an on-campus AM carrier-current student station from 1963 until receiving Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing for FM transmission in June 1977. In 2017 WUSB acquired an additional frequency and can now be heard locally on 107.3 FM.

WUSB’s success is due to the University’s supportive administration, as well as the students, staff, faculty, alumni and community volunteers who have provided creative and innovative radio programming to listeners on Long Island and in Southern Connecticut for more than four decades. General Manager Isobel Breheny-Schafer has guided WUSB for the past 13 years. As the assistant director of student media in the Department of Student Engagement and Activities, Breheny-Schafer received the 2012 Woman in Communication Award from the Town of Brookhaven and the 2017 College Media Association National four-year broadcast advisor award for her work managing and advising WUSB.

WUSB is also managed by student directors. The 2019-2020 student directors include Robert Prentiss, program director; Christopher Greening, business manager; Abigail Houck, social media director; Michael Docus, music director; Vivica Michel, news director; and Gaetan Fleurentin, sports director.

Norman L. Prusslin, WUSB general manager emeritus of 28 years, alumnus, faculty, and Long Island Music Hall of Fame board member, is WUSB’s faculty advisor. Jeffrey Barnett, Stony Brook University associate dean of students, chairs the WUSB University advisory board.

Since WUSB’s sign on 42 years ago, more than 2,000 campus and community volunteers have served as staff members; thousands of nationally acclaimed artists, musicians, newsmakers, public figures and educators have participated in live broadcasts; more than 30,000 public service announcements have been aired; and tens of thousands of listeners have enjoyed quality, commercial-free, thought-provoking, inspired and creative radio programs. Another highlight this year, WUSB celebrates its longest serving volunteer — Jim Weiner has 50 years of service to the University and WUSB. He started with WUSB when it was an AM radio station, and his dedication has helped keep WUSB funded. He is a radio host for Sunday Classics and Jazz on the Air, and he also manages the Emergency Alert System.

The WUSB studios are located on the second floor of West Side Dining in Kelly Quad on campus, transmitting a signal from a tower located at Bald Hill in Farmingville. WUSB Stony Brook can be heard on Long Island and the surrounding areas on your FM radio at 90.1 and 107.3 and all over the world via www.wusb.fm.

For more information about any WUSB event, broadcast special, sponsorship opportunities, underwriting or volunteering, please email info@wusb.fm or call the WUSB media office at (631) 632-6828.

Where to Find WUSB’s Red Tent and Staff in Your Community

Wednesdays until August 28
GBPJAC Music Series, Port Jefferson Village Jeanne Garant HarborFront Park, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, hosted by Amy Tuttle, Lonni Chu and Joe Vecchio

Wednesday, August 28
WUSB’s Annual Community Potluck Picnic, Port Jefferson Village Jeanne Garant HarborFront Park, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, August 30
Port Jefferson Village Center 2nd Annual “Big Chair” Chair-ity event, 6:30 pm to – 9:30 pm, hosted by Amy Tuttle and Isobel Breheny-Schafer

WUSB Live! On-Air Specials and Live Broadcasts

Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1
WUSB live from Bradstock XXVI at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in Center Moriches, with Chris Laporta, Frank Burgert and WUSB friends

Wednesday, September 25
WUSB live from The Jazz Loft and the Ward Melville Heritage Trust Organization Harbor Festival in Stony Brook Village, hosted by Thomas Manuel and WUSB friends