History WTJU

a wtju dj hosts show during 2013 rock marathon



wtju hosts live remote broadcast rally on lawn, thousands of students, faculty, alumni, , community members had gathered support ousted university of virginia president teresa sullivan.

wtju founded in 1955 when uva’s department of speech , drama decided start uva-based educational radio station. fraternity kappa delta pi put large part of funds necessary station off ground. on may 10, 1957, wtju went on air @ 91.3 fm classical music format. able broadcast throughout charlottesville, building small dedicated group of listeners.

in 1959, station aired first ever music marathon: classical marathon, held during u.va.’s exam period. in 1963, wtju became full-fledged student organization, separate uva department of speech , drama. 1971, wtju began broadcasting rock music, jazz , folk programs. 1974, wtju broadcasting 24 hours day. allowed non-students djs in order keep station broadcasting 24/7 year-round.

in 1993, wtju s license threatened when student administrators accidentally violated fcc rules in filing routine document. dean of students office insisted station hire first paid staff member, general manager chuck taylor, requiring transition student organization direct oversight university. in same year, wtju changed frequency 91.3 91.1 fm. in late 1990s, planned construction @ u.va. s peabody hall forced wtju relocate. in 2000, wtju moved current studios in lambeth commons. 2010, wtju had started streaming radio programming on internet.

general manager chuck taylor retired in 2010, , replaced burr beard. after stepping position, beard tried enact sweeping changes station’s operation , met major backlash station volunteers , listeners. fall of same year, beard resigned , station began search new manager. in 2011, nathan moore hired , current general manager of station.

in 2011, wtju participated in first-ever college radio day. in 2012, wtju aired live remote broadcast of rally on lawn demonstration against ouster of u.va. president teresa a. sullivan. in 2012, wtju aired special modern adaptation of war of worlds on halloween night.

in august 2017, following far-right unite right rally in charlottesville, wtju aired pair of special broadcasts: live music event called come charlottesville , healing , reconciliation program called gather round cville .

in addition on-air activities, wtju produces variety of music , educational events such live concerts, film screenings, , youth radio camps. since 2015, wtju has hosted series of free outdoor concerts @ charlottesville s ix art park each fall, emphasizing eclectic music , creative community building.

among well-known artists have been djs @ wtju pavement s stephen malkmus, dave matthews band s boyd tinsley, rolling stone critic rob sheffield, yo la tengo s james mcnew, , blues musician corey harris.