KWDM

Last updated
88.7 KWDM The Point
Station logo 2013-11-01 02-00.jpeg
Frequency 88.7 (MHz)
Branding88.7 KWDM The Point
Programming
Format Modern Rock/Alternative
Ownership
Owner West Des Moines Community School District
History
First air date
October 1, 1976
Call sign meaning
West Des Moines
Technical information
Class A
ERP 100 watts
Links
Website 887kwdm.wix.com/kwdm-the-point

KWDM, "88.7 KWDM The Point," is a modern rock high school radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa area on 88.7 FM. The radio station's studio is located at Valley High School in West Des Moines. It is owned and operated by the West Des Moines Community School District and is operated by students at Valley under the direction of a staff advisor.

Contents

History

On October 1, 1976, the West Des Moines Community School District signed KWDM on the air at 88.9 MHz. [1] The KWDM call letters had previously been used on two commercial stations in Des Moines, 1150 AM (later KWKY) and 93.3 FM (later KIOA), under the ownership of George Webber. In 1994, KWDM's frequency was migrated from 88.9 FM to 88.7 FM and its power increased from 10 watts ERP to 100 watts. The station is one of two high school radio stations in Iowa, the other being KDPS operated by Des Moines Public Schools.

Programming

KWDM's student staff dictate what format the station will play. Students have the option to change the format at the beginning of any school year. In the late 1970s and through much of the 1980s, the station played a free-form format where the on-air jock played the music of their choice. In the early 1990s, the station was a strictly classic rock format. In 1993, the station began playing the popular Alternative or Modern Rock format. In 1999, KWDM began to experiment with a switch to CHR/Top 40 music. The move was abandoned after IHeartMedia, Inc. owned KKDM switched formats from Alternative to Top 40. The station continues to play the Modern Rock format.

Student management

One of KWDM's hallmarks is its student management. While a faculty advisor oversees operations and is responsible for regulatory and engineering issues, students are predominantly responsible for the station's programming and music selection. One student (In most cases) is selected each year through a competitive application process to serve as station manager.

School YearStudent Station Manager(s)Faculty AdvisorStation Identity
Spring 1977:George OliverGreg Franck88.9 KWDM
1987-1988:Howie HoffmanLil McDonald88.9 KWDM
1988-1989:Rob LettingtonLil McDonald88.9 KWDM
1989-1990:Ryan BurgerLil McDonald88.9 KWDM "Tiger 89, the Hot FM"
1990-1991:N/A (Five Production Directors instead of one Station Manager)Lil McDonald88.9 KWDM
1991-1992:Damond FudgeLil McDonald88.9 KWDM
1992-1993:Bryan RomigBrian Christensen"Power 89"
1993-1994:Chris WulfBrian Christensen"Power 89"
1994-1995:T.G. StoufferBrian Christensen88.7 KWDM "Your Only Alternative"
1995-1996:Jeremy BingamanBrian Christensen88.7 KWDM "Des Moines' Only Alternative"
1996-1997:Brian GongolBrian Christensen"New Rock 88.7"
1997-1998:Marianne CoppockBrian Christensen"New Rock 88.7" KWDM "The Source"
1998-1999:Justin SchoenBrian Christensen"New Rock 88.7" KWDM "The Source"
1999-2000:Jesse HoffmanBrian Christensen"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2000-2001:Tonya GarnerBrian Christensen"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2001-2002:Nicole FaustBrian Christensen"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2002-2003:Joe Quinn/Jason LoeBrian Christensen"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2003-2004:MacKenzie Carey / Kate MalettaBrian Christensen"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2004-2005:Ryan Snider/Jeff EdwardsJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2005-2006:Hannah Korpela/Alex SalemJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2006-2007:Lauren Mease/Cole CheneyJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2007-2008:Joanna McNurlenJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2008-2009:Ryan Mueksch/Jillian ShkolnickJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2009-2010:Jillian Shkolnick/John MenkenJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2010-2011:Jacob Menken/Nailah BakariJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2012-2013Dylan DeClerk/Joe EilersJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2013-2014Taylor MankleJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2014-2015Ben SwansonJanell Mikels"88.7 KWDM The Point"
2015-2016Ben Berry (AKA Ben DeCastro)Janell Mikels

KWDM alums in broadcasting

In the more than 30 years that the West Des Moines School District has owned KWDM, many of the station's alumni have gone on to careers in the radio and television industry.

StudentYears on KWDMStationPosition
Bill Oliver1976–1977 Bryan Broadcasting, Bryan/College Station TXNews Director
Joe Ditzel1976–1978VastMediaEmpire.com, Los Angeles, CAOwner/ CEO (formerly worked at NBC-TV)
Alan Kline1977–1978 KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IAEngineer
Dave Smiley1987–1990 WZPL-FM, Indianapolis, IN"The Smiley Morning Show"
Greg Chance1987–1990 KKDM-FM, Des Moines, IAiHeart Media Regional Program Manager for Iowa/Operations Manager (has since left the station)
Brian Allen1987–1991KSFY-TV, Sioux Falls, SDNews Anchor
Jeremy Bingaman1992–1996 KIOA-FM Des Moines, IAMorning Show Host (Known as "Luke Matthews")
Chad Rufer1992–1996 Bonneville International, Sacramento, CAVice President of Programming
Brian Gongol1993–1997 WHO (AM), Des Moines, IA"The Brian Gongol Show," "WHO Radio Wise Guys" (has since left the station)
Marianne Coppock1994–1998 KSTZ-FM, Des Moines, IAOn-Air Swing (has since left station)
Brian Stark1994–1998 Starz Entertainment, Englewood, Colorado Media Systems Administrator
Leigh McNabb1995–1999 KIOA-FM, Des Moines, IAProgram Director, Midday host
Karsten Lunde1997-1999 KSQY, KIQK, KXMZ, KTOQ, Rapid City, SDOperations Manager & PM Drive Host
Brett Wolf1996–2000 KAZR, Des Moines, IAWeekend Swing (known as Cage)
Ashley Hinson 1998–2001 KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, IAMorning and Midday News Anchor (Has since left station)
Nicole Faust1999–2002 Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IADirector of Interactive Media
Joe Quinn2000-2003 KXSP, Omaha, NECo-Host, "The Drive"
Sarah Moritz-Heuertz2001–2004 KAZR, Des Moines, IAWeekends, (known as Sarah Greene)
Nick Ratcliff2003–2006 KSTZ-FM, Des Moines, IAWeekends (has since left station)
Thomas Matysik2005–2008 Bullseye with Jesse Thorn, History Made Up Radio and Podcast Producer

Programming information

Broadcasts are expected to change due to seniors leaving.

The Morning Show: News, Weather, Traffic and a great way to start any morning on the way to work or school.

The Mankle in the Morning Show: Daily sit down with the station manager Taylor Mankle full of interactive fan requests and music.

The Spread: A Variety Show of sorts as prominent voices of the point shine through in a more musical light as improve song are made on the spot along with covers for the enjoyment of listeners. Led by Taylor Mankle, along with Jacob White, Henry Parizek, and Nick Cesario.

Tiger Talk: A group discussion before every Valley Football game with guest callers, predictions, stats and much more. Led by Jack Rodgers, Jeff Goetz, Jake Goetz, Logan Bylie, and Ben Swanson.

Football Games: Most VHS football games are broadcast live on air with play-by-play announcer Taylor Mankle and color announcers Nick Cesario and Ben Swanson.

Basketball Games: All VHS basketball home games are broadcast live by play-by-play announcer Taylor Mankle.

Half Time Show: If booked, local bands perform live in the studio for both football and basketball half time shows.

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References

  1. Warren, Kirby (February 13, 1977). "Students run their own radio station". Des Moines Register. pp. 1-TV, 3-TV . Retrieved October 28, 2019.

41°35′24″N93°45′11″W / 41.590°N 93.753°W / 41.590; -93.753