Normally, I am busy preparing for a radio show on Tuesday afternoons. Busy typing song titles into a computer that feels both like a friend and a reluctant companion. This Tuesday however, I am not doing any of that prep work because the radio station is preparing to move to its new home.

In the heart of the University of Dayton campus, nestled among the hustle and bustle, there exists a sanctuary that transcends the usual boundaries and divisions that we make for ourselves every day. For 22 years, a humble student-run radio station has occupied the same space, etching its mark on the airwaves and the souls of those who have tuned in whether they be students at the University of Dayton or community members looking for something captivating on the airwaves. In 2001, WUDR moved from cramped quarters in Kennedy Union to the then newly opened Artstreet complex creating a harmonious resonance that defies the transience of our ever-evolving world. The Artstreet experiment was untested on campus. It was a living, learning, creative space that playfully yet intentionally used architecture, design, and flexible classroom spaces to encourage applied creativity. WUDR Flyer Radio and Street Sounds Recording Studio shared the end of one of the buildings next to an open amphitheater for outdoor events. Before the radio station added online broadcasting, this came a few years later, the station provided a space for those with a passion for radio broadcasting, indie music enthusiasts, and students applying what they were learning in classes to come together toward a common goal of making radio shows.

While I was not a student for quite some time, I have long explored the role of a radio DJ. After receiving a positive tenure decision from the University of Dayton, I balanced my teaching, writing, and administrative obligations with a hunger to do radio again. For 19 years I tried to passionately advocate for local music balanced with an interest in new music and the development and evolution of indie and alternative music. For almost two decades that interest has animated Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative. I wrote a personal essay about my sense of doing radio in September.

As I prepare to leave the studio that I have called my second office for 19 years, a wave of nostalgia washes over me. The worn-out carpet beneath my feet bears witness to the countless footsteps of other DJs — student and faculty — that have trodden this path before, each imprint telling a story of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the art of sound at WUDR. The walls, once adorned with posters of Dayton bands, amazing local shows, a few legendary musicians, and faded memories, seem to whisper tales of late-night broadcasts, whispered confessions, and the transformative power of music.

In an era where change is the only constant, the endurance of this student-run radio station becomes an anthem of constancy, a lighthouse guiding lost ships through the stormy seas of life. The comforting hum of the equipment, the familiar creaks in the chairs, the colors of the ENCO systems alongside the soft glow of the control panel all bear witness to the enduring spirit of a station that has weathered the storms of technological upheaval and the fickle tastes of an ever-evolving audience. The dim light and just barely audible hum of a computer to my right that sends the radio signal to the web is a constant companion.

It’s not just a radio station; it’s a time capsule, preserving the essence of an era long past while evolving with the pulse of the present. The student DJs who have graced this sacred space have become custodians of emotions, weaving the soundtrack of our lives through the carefully selected notes and melodies that have graced the airwaves for over two decades in this space (and over fifty years in total).

The connection between the station and its listeners is not merely a broadcast; it’s an intimate conversation that transcends the limits of physical space. You cannot see the people who are listening. The voices that have resonated through these speakers have been companions during late-night drives, all night cramming before a big test, solace during moments of solitude, and the soundtrack to celebrations and heartbreaks alike. The station has become a confidant, a friend, and a silent witness to the ebbs and flows of our collective experience on and off campus.

As the world around us races forward, this radio station through the various slogans and themes over the years — “rock in the gem city,” “music in all directions,” and “support your local music scene” — remains a constant, a testament to the enduring power of music to bind us across time and space. We come together even though we cannot see each other in that moment when a great song plays. It’s a reminder that, in the transient nature of life, some things are built to last. The 22 years encapsulated in these walls are not just a marker of time but a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit to create, connect, and find solace in the embrace of familiar melodies. Songs mean something beyond the notes, chords, voices… as they remind us what we feel.

In a society that often values the shiny and new, this radio station serves as a poignant reminder that there is beauty in the worn and weathered, in the stories etched into every scuff and scratch. It’s a living testament to the belief that, sometimes, the most profound expressions of art and emotion arise not from the pursuit of the novel but from the nurturing of what already exists.

Live, intimate performances in a radio station hold a profound significance in the realm of music and broadcasting. Unlike large concerts in arenas or stadiums, these intimate sessions offer a unique and up-close experience for both the artist, the DJ, and the audience. The confined space of a radio station creates an atmosphere that fosters a sense of connection, an all too quickly fleeting and personal bond allowing the artist’s emotions and musical nuances to be experienced with unparalleled intimacy. And I have been unbelievably fortunate to have so many guests in the studio.

From the audience’s perspective, the intimacy of a radio station performance offers a rare chance to witness their favorite musicians in an unfiltered setting. It forges a more profound bond between the listener and the artist, creating an environment where the nuances of the performance are not lost in the vastness of a large venue. Live, intimate performances on a radio station bring artists and audiences together in a way that transcends the traditional concert experience. They celebrate the essence of music, fostering a connection that resonates on a deeper level, making these performances invaluable in the rich tapestry of musical expression.

From Thrasher Cadillac to Ghost Town Silence’s Tom Gilliam, who joined me for our annual YTAA Indie Holiday program, several artists in Dayton, the region, and national touring acts have shared their music with our listeners. Incredible songwriter and musician Charlie Jackson made his very first radio interview and performance in the WUDR studio space at Artstreet. Remember his name, a songwriter with that much talent and lyrical richness is perfectly made for a large, national audience. There is not enough patience to list all of the musical acts who have shared their time and music with us but let’s try that perseverance just a touch: The New Old Fashioned, Amber Hargett, Oh Condor, Cricketbows, Brainiac, Age Nowhere, Smug Brothers, The 1984 Draft, K.Carter, Kris N., XL427, Team Void, Matt Moran, Librarians With Hickeys, Rossonian, Bottlecap Mountain, Renaissance, Serin Oh, Motel Faces, Avalon Park, Josh Thrasher, Nicholas Johnson, Nate Peters, Me & Mountains, David Payne, Mike Bankhead, Harold Hensley, Neo American Pioneers, Zack Sliver, Nasty Bingo, Khyrs Blank, The Boxcar Suite, Brian Wells, Trees and Wells, Jennifer Taylor, Sharon A. Lane, Scary Hotel, Jetty Bones, Heather Redman, Sadbox, The Nautical Theme, Tod Weidner, Ike B., Max B. Greene, Tim Gebard, Manray, Mandy Jewel, The Typical Johnsons, Ricky Terrell, Kevin Serey, Windsor Knotts, Kyle Byrum, Dave Zup, Bill Wendell, Paul Monin, Seth Canan and The Carriers, Don Thrasher, Dead Licks, Sam King, Far From Eden, Andrew Hunt, The Paint Splats, Emory Road, Achilles Tenderloin, Curse of Cassandra, Rich Reuter, Nick Kizirnis, Kyleen Downes, Goodnight Goodnight, Charles Hartman, Kurt Lee Wheeler (who traveled from Georgia to be on our show that day), Lisa Gain & The Rusty Silos, Mack McKenzie, Steve Shockley of the Original Lakeside, and so many more. Still here? That is far from a complete list because those are just some of the artists who were in the studio. The magic of the phone call-in provided for so many more artists to share their gifts with all of us.

For the artist, performing live on a radio station provides an opportunity to showcase raw talent and authenticity. Stripped of elaborate productions, the focus shifts to the purity of the music and the artist’s ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. It becomes a platform for artists to experiment, improvise, and unveil new dimensions of their creativity.

As I exit the studio, the faint strains of a timeless song linger in the air, I play The New Old Fashioned – Radio Waves. It is fitting. As David Payne sings, I carry with me the echoes of my 19 years in my second office, resonating not only in the frequencies of the music but in the very fabric of my being. This radio station is more than a collection of songs; it’s a living, breathing entity, a guardian of memories, and a symbol of the enduring power of music to transcend the limitations of time and space. It was home.

WUDR will move to its new space in the Roger Glass Center for the Arts over the next several weeks. We will set up shop in an exciting new space that was specifically designed with the station and student media in mind, but we carry with us the incredible music experiences, history, and warm embrace of a building that was the radio station’s home for 22 years. Here’s to many more.