Jersey Rock: Monmouth University’s WMCX Turns 50
Celebrating 50 Years of Student Broadcasting on May 3!
Monmouth University’s student-run radio station WMCX-FM has been “Rockin’ The Shore Since ’74.” Across 6 decades and many generations of student broadcasters, the station has served as a conduit for creativity, community outreach, and, of course, killer programming. For 50 years The X 88.9 has been thoroughly “Rockin’ The Shoreline” with “Music That Matters,” “Modern Rock with an Edge,” and “Throwbacks When You Want It, New Music When You Need It.” It’s truly “Radioactive Radio!”
However, WMCX has done much more than simply pump out great programming. It was the first media outlet to break the news of Bob Marely’s passing in 1981. It has regularly supported the local music scene and produced a long list of broadcast professionals. Many of the radio stations in New Jersey and the greater New York Metro Area (including this one) have at least one WMCX alumnus on staff. It’s contribution to broadcasting cannot be understated.
WMCX began life as the 10-watt WMCJ 88.1 on May 3, 1974. Following a 1984 studio fire, the radio station was rebuilt, re-powered to 1000 watts and re-branded to WMCX 88.9 FM. The station’s biggest upgrade was the addition of its first-ever faculty advisor, Professor Rett Rich, known to his students as PR. He recounted exactly how it all came to be:
“One night, in the early hours, something caught fire in the production room because of a piece of faulty equipment and the whole station was destroyed. I was teaching a radio course at MCX that semester, so because I was the only faculty person connected to the station, the President of Monmouth called me in to say that he would rebuild the station from the insurance money IF I went up there and re-organized it and turned it into an asset for the University. I accepted the offer.”
It was then Monmouth University President Samuel Hays Magill, who put his faith in Professor Rich. However the journey to 1000 watts was just beginning. Professor Rich said:
“We first had to find someone to rebuild it. While that was happening I started to re-organize how it operated. I reasoned that if I could get more power from the FCC, students would become more excited about radio because of better coverage. We moved up the dial from 10 watts at 88.1 to 1000 watts at 88.9. I was named the advisor and we were off and running and it has never stopped growing. “
Professor Rich enlisted the aid of local Radio Producer and Audio Engineer Chris Cavallaro to help with the rebuild of the station as a part-time engineer. Chris Cavallaro would go on to become a Monmouth University professor and an Advisor to not only WMCX, but also the college TV station Hawk TV and the Monmouth University Chapter of the National Broadcasting Society. He along with other additions like Office Coordinator/WMCX Mom Donna Mancini were integral parts of what Professor Rich was building. Rich said:
“We also built a radio curriculum of 10 courses so that we had some academic respect as well. We always had talented staff members with great ideas and our leadership was always strong so we were able to sustain the growth year after year. Before I retired, we were named as one of the top 10 college radio stations in the nation. I have been so proud of everyone and all the hard work they poured into the growth of the station.”
Under Professor Rich’s leadership WMCX became a premier student radio station. Beyond the actual broadcasting courses offered at Monmouth University, simply doing a radio program at The X is the equivalent of spending time in a classroom. Through trial, error, and real experience student broadcasters can develop the skills needed to get on the air at commercial radio stations like 95.9 The RAT (I know I did). While that training is important, there is something about WMCX that is much more special: the culture Professor Rich built along with the station. It’s produced countless special moments. Speaking to that Professor Rich said:
“I have always felt that we achieved this growth together. Every generation of students has put their own mark on the station through the ideas they had each year. Some years we would tackle huge projects like doing a lot of remotes for exposure. Other years we might work with improving the format or growing the newsroom with covering local stories. We were always involved doing projects. We all enjoyed the facility and now we have a new home in the new Communication building. Many of our alumni have done well in the field and there is a special bond we have together. There is a “pride” in a job well done year after year. WMCX is a very special facility with generations of talented people and now we are celebrating our 50th birthday. “
In honor of that 50th birthday a number of WMCX alumni have organized something very special. Former WMCX General Manager Mike Black and Former WMCX Music Director Mike Farragher were proud to announce the creation of the Rett Rich WMCX 50th Anniversary Endowed Scholarship. If you would like to donate to the scholarship, you can do so HERE.
The WMCX culture that was forged by Professor Rett Rich was carefully passed to his successor Dr. Aaron Furgason in 2005. Furg, as he is known to his students, was a former WMCX Music Director as well as a professional radio broadcaster and music industry veteran. When he returned to Monmouth University as a Professor, he rejoined his college station as an advisor. Without his efforts over the past 19 years everything that was carefully built in the 1980’s, 90’s, and 2000’s could have easily crumbled. He not only kept the torch lit, but established new initiatives like the annual live music fest which has given countless local artists the opportunity to play live on the air. Teaming with another former WMCX Program Director-turned Engineer, Professor Eric Reisher they have brought the WMCX culture into the present. Those who are counted among the alumni of WMCX cannot thank them enough for their efforts as they have guaranteed us a place to return to.
A large number of WMCX alumni will fill the Jules Plangere Center at Monmouth University this Friday May 3 to celebrate the station’s 50th Anniversary. But before that happens, we will commemorate the occasion on Jersey Rock! Tune to 95.9 The RAT Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:30 pm. Dr. Aaron Furgason and his students will join us in studio and we will turn up NJ artists with a connection to the X!
Learn more about Monmouth University’s Communication Program HERE. Check out The X 88.9 at wmcx.com!
Check out some videos from WMCX!