WUEV: A "Short" History of the Station

For many years Evansville College and the University have carried on an expanding program of radio broadcasting, although it has had its own station, WEVC-FM, only since March, 1951. Apparently the first Evansville College program ever to go out over the air waves was given by the Photozetean Literary Society (now Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity).

On October 23, 1925, this program was broadcast over Radio Station WGBF, then the only radio station in Evansville and less than two years old. The program was one hour long, and according to The Crescent it included banjo numbers by John McBrian, violin solos by Hugh Hazelrigg, piano and vocal selections by Professor Raymond M. Veh, piano numbers by Al Miller and talks by Joe Lewellen, George P. Wright and J. Robert Smith.

During the winter and spring of the 1925-26 year the Thespian Dramatic Society gave a series of monthly programs "using the station's new power of 500 watts." The first program was an hour and a half long and consisted of nineteen numbers, including a one-act play and many vocal, violin and piano solos.

It appears that few if any programs were given following those in 1925-26 until after the arrival of President Harper. Both he and Mrs. Harper were competent musicians, and both participated in programs, together with music students. From January to May, 1929, weekly programs were presented, and were resumed in October, 1930. Ralph Olmsted, the College business manager, was in charge and did the announcing and President Harper continued to take part.

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