Since its FM inception in 1988 (not 1998, as was erroneously reported by the Herald in its March 6 edition), WWHR — currently known as Revolution 91.7 and formerly known as New Rock 92 — has been an outlet for Western’s radio and television operations majors to hone their skills to excel in commercial radio markets.

In the fall of 2001, WWHR expanded beyond broadcasting majors and opened its doors to all Western students. All you have to do is walk into our office and let us know you want to become involved.

In the fall of 2002, 91.7 signed on as a 3,000-watt-equivalent station, with a footprint that reaches listening audiences in Glasgow, Scottsville, Cave City, Russellville and Portland, Tenn. Few college radio stations offer students the opportunity to be heard by such a large populace.

Since the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year, we have worked tirelessly to represent the students of Western to Bowling Green. We do this with countless promotions. We host concerts featuring both national and local artists, including most recently Nappy Roots at Diddle Arena.

The music we program does not receive air play anywhere else in the region until months after we begin spinning it, if ever at all. Examples include John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, Good Charlotte, the Donnas, Audioslave and Zwan. Nappy Roots recognizes 91.7 as the first station to play their music.

It delights us that the Herald’s editors mentioned Joseph Arthur’s sixth track off his album “Redemption’s Son,” entitled “September Baby.” Would you have known who Joseph Arthur was without having listened to college radio?

Every night of the week from 10-12 p.m., our Revolution Freestyle hosts play the freshest music during their genre-specific shows. Punk. Gothic. Drum and Bass. Party. Local. Alternative country. Hip-hop. What other station in south central Kentucky provides such an eclectic mix?

We have done all of this for the past 15 years on $7,579 annually. Evidence of this is available in the WKU Expenditure Summary on the Financial Affairs page of Western’s Web site.

With an expanded budget, we will pursue such goals as:

•Hosting concerts featuring rising college progressive bands;

•Placing Bowling Green on the map as a viable concert venue for established artists who got their start on college radio;

•Launching our Web site with audio streaming, so past, current and future Western students may tune in any time, anywhere.

If you still do not want to help us, we respect your decision and are more than willing to refund your $3 at the beginning of every semester.

91.7 received .007 percent of the $1 million Educational Media Services budget for Western, an amount that has not increased in 15 years.

WWHR signs on the first day of M.A.S.T.E.R Plan and broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week — through fall break, Thanksgiving and spring break.

Revolution 91.7 entertains. Revolution 91.7 informs. Revolution 91.7 requests your help.

Vote “Yes” on WWHR’s referendum during SGA online elections April 2-3.

–The Revolution 91.7-WWHR staff

The views expressed in this commentary represent only those of the writers, and not the Herald or Western Kentucky University.