SC State Radio Rebounding from Pandemic

The small staff at the radio stations of SC State operating out of Nance Hall became even smaller since the COVID-19 breakout more than two years ago. Carl A'see lost pretty much all of his volunteer and part-time on-air people (one of whom died). A student-run online station also went dormat. 

But things are looking up. A'see has recently added two ESPN stations to his rebranded Statement Media organization. 

Meeting with students in Patrick Harwood's Radio Production on March 29 A'see said he is giving interviews for new announcers for his WSSB 90.3 FM jazz station. And he wants students to know his door is open for those who are highly motivated, willing to work hard and learn about the radio business. 

 A'see (wearing a red mask) has been with SC State radio since 2008. And he is an SC State alumnus. 

"The Possibilities are Endless" Public Information Manager Tells Students

"Community service." Women's History Month Speaker Janet Parker told South Carolina State University communication students that if they only remember one thing from her March 15 virtual talk that it be those two words.

Parker is the public information manager for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office in Charlotte. Here is her Linkedin site.  

Prior to this position, she was a broadcast journalist for many years at stations in Columbia and Charlotte where she was a producer, reporter, anchor and executive producer. During her virtual talk, Parker said at the University of South Carolina she started as a psychology major but didn't really like her first classes in that field of study.

SC State Radio Manager Carl A'see Expands with Two ESPN Stations

Note: SC State students interested in working with SC State's radio stations should contact manager Carl A'see at cdasee@scsu.edu or stop by the station studios on the third floor of Nance Hall.

The university recently announced the expansion of its radio stations not by one, but two! 

SC State, under the guidance of radio general manager Carl A'see, has launched ESPN Orangeburg consisting of WPJK AM 1580 and 92.9 FM. 

Along with its national lineup of ESPN programming, the SC State stations will feature coverage of local college and high school sports. 

"The partnership shows the university's commitment to serving the Orangeburg and surrounding communities and strengthens SC State University's community engagement and outreach through sports via radio," A'see said in a university news release. "Students will have the chance to learn, train and cover live local sports events, do sports reporting and work behind the scenes in station operations." 

Operating four stations now (WSSB 90.3 with its jazz format and a student online station are the other two) SC State is in rarified air among not only HBCUs but all U.S. colleges in that it owns commercial radio stations. 

A'see (pictured above right) recently sat down with junior communications major Rodney Nelson (left) of Andrews, S.C. We learn more, not only about these exciting new developments but also about Carl A'see himself. 

SC State Radio is located in Nance Hall on the SC State campus. Carl A'see can be contacted by phone at (803) 536-7485 and by email at cdasee@scsu.edu. 

2021 "Top Prof" is Our Justin Smith!

"A decision among some wonderful people had to be made, and our EAC Professor of the Year for 2021 is Mr. Justin Smith."

These words from Department of English and Communications chair Dr. Janice Hawes announcing Professor Smith as our "Top Prof" of the year. The honor is well-deserved for Mr. Smith who does an amazing job organizing and producing "Bulldog News Now" (BNN) and who is also a fairly new appointee to SC State's Faculty Senate.

Congratulations Mr. Smith!

Despite the challenges opposed by the coronavirus pandemic this school year, Smith has persevered with BNN and with his team of communications students has weekly produced informative high-quality news, sports and entertainment programming.

For a 2019 behind the scenes look at BNN click here. Below, in the television studio's production room, Smith speaks with students about BNN's new equipment and other issues.

 

Want to Work in TV News? WIS-TV's Von Gaskin Shares Some Wisdom

 

Broadcasting majors were treated to valuable real-world advice from Columbia's WIS-TV veteran meteorologist Von Gaskin. During a 75-minute Zoom call on Feb. 25 Gaskin encouraged the students to be determined in reaching their goals. "You have to keep pushing yourself to the next level," she said. "That's how you will make it, you have to keep working hard."

Radio Radiance: Five Questions with Tradia McCoy (Class of 2015)

 

Five years after receiving her communications degree from SC State, Tradia McCoy has made a name for herself in the radio business. 

To date, her resume (on LinkedIn) shows her getting her foot in the door in her native Charlotte where she gained valuable experience on-air in both commercial radio and television. Then her talents took her to Richmond, Va. but this turned out to be a short stint due to her station making cutbacks because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Tradia rebounded nicely and in the fall returned to the Carolinas as the midday host of Fayetteville's WZFX-FM. She graciously took time to answer some questions about her career. Her emailed responses, we hope, will be helpful to current students hoping for careers in broadcasting.  

Question #1  Your radio work in recent years has taken you away from your hometown of Charlotte to Richmond, Va. and now Fayetteville, N.C. What has that been like for you to pick and move for new jobs? Did you expect you would be doing this in your field?

      Tradia: Yes! The world of radio has been very exciting and a whirlwind for me for sure, life moving around in radio for me has been thrilling but at the same time it's taken a toll on my mental health, if I can be very transparent.

      Moving from Charlotte to Richmond was very exciting for me because in my eyes I was getting my “BIG BREAK” not only in my career field but in my actual life. Moving from Charlotte to Virginia was the first time in my adult life that I had to face the world how it is, with no one to protect me from it and no one to guide me through it, just myself learning how to live as the adult I was. I never had my own place, never paid rent, never really had to deal with the real world until I was faced with the option to grow as a radio personality. Even though fear was there, God showed up for me in ways I wouldn't even imagine and I made it! It taught me so much. 

I stayed in that position for four months before being let go due to Covid-19 taking a toll on the radio industry and six months later I was picked back up in Fayetteville, North Carolina to continue being a radio personality serving in a similar role.  

      So for me moving a lot in the last year has been a lot. I’ve been told in radio you jump from city to city, state to state and I didn't know how real that was until I found myself jumping and moving for an opportunity in radio especially with the current climate, I’m blessed to be back but I wasn't expecting to be doing so much moving. I would love to one day be in a city where I can learn the audience and grow with my audience.

Question #2   Do you feel good with where you are in your career? Broadcasting is such a competitive field, especially for on-air jobs.

Tradia:  I feel amazing where my career is at this moment! I'm blessed to be back in especially during a global pandemic.

I've made it this far! I must be talented! I'm still
in, lol. 

Question #3: What are the best and not so best parts of working in radio for you?

      Tradia: The best part of working in radio for me is that I get to be myself. I get to speak to millions of people a day and connect with people on a different level. I’m able to bring a sense of joy to people's lives by simply providing them with their song request or concert tickets! 

      I also love the “community” aspect that comes with radio! When people call in to the radio station and talk to me then see me out and about it feels like we are family and that's what I love about radio! Not to mention it's a fun industry to be in! 

      The not so great parts are the bouncing around and the uncertainty of your position. It’s sort of like here today gone tomorrow, so my goal is to have longevity in this industry.

Question #4  What advice would you give current SC State communications students interested in getting where you are today or in other media fields?

      Tradia: The best advice I would give to the current SC State communications students who are interested in this field is to build genuine connections with people in the industry.

Start to follow people you would like to be like or study on social platforms like LinkedIn and more! 

      Connect with people who you trust who could be your mentor and take the advice of your university communication department!
Seek out radio station internship programs and opportunities! 

Question #5 How was your experience at SC State as a student? Did your courses, student life and your "Front Row" amazing experiences all help prepare you for the "Real World"?

      Tradia: My life at SC. State was an amazing one that I look back on and simply smile because that moment in my life really got me to where I am today. Cherish your college years because they go quick! All of my teachers helped to mold me into the woman I am today. The courses I took were always hands-on and helped me to really apply it in the work field. 

      And my Front Row days were my favorite because at the time no one else was really tapping into vlogging or producing like we were and it was nice to see after we left how that creativity sparked many to pursue their dreams and desires without caring what others may think! Front Row has really taken me to new heights and was a huge stepping stone for myself, Valerie and Taylor! 

Thank you so much Tradia McCoy!  Thank you for your time. Continued success to you and Happy Holidays! 

       UPDATE: In 2022 Tradia left the radio profession and now works for the news and entertainment site BuzzFeed. Congratulations Tradia! 

U.

The Many Hats Worn By Multi-Media Talent and Social Media Influencer Kris Kaylin Bennett

SC State senior Arabia Green participated in a recent Zoom call with Class of 2016 graduate Kris Kaylin Bennett. In the call with students, Bennett, a Charleston native, spoke about what it means to be a so-called "social media influencer." It's a title we seem to hear about more and more. And Bennett helped break it down for us. Arabia wrote an excellent recap of Kris Bennett's busy life. The story is on Arabia's blog: 

Read Arabia Green's article here. 

Bennett has become a true queen of all media with her radio job at Charleston's Z-93, television appearances here and there, original video productions and now her alliance with Michiel Perry, founder of the Black Southern Belle, a prominent blogger, brand ambassador and social media influencer based in Walterboro, S.C. Bennett also handles social media for several companies, including her radio station. 

This fall, as part of her work with the Black Southern Belle,  Bennett stayed (for free!) at Emeline, a new boutique hotel on Church Street in Charleston. 

Arabia Green is a senior communications major from Adams Run, S.C. She graduated from Baptist Hill High School and is set to graduate from SC State in December. Check out Arabia's blog, Raye of Sunshine, here.