"The staff is looking to hit anywhere from 100 to 120 people by commencement in May 2026." (Graphics Editor / Alexander Cruz)
Rowan University is welcoming its largest first-year class in history. An estimated 3,400 students have enrolled for the 2029 class. With all the new students, they will be looking for clubs to join. During Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM’s storied 60-year run, they have never experienced an influx like this before.
Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM is where you can find students helping out and being responsible for the radio programming from Monday through Friday. They work large-scale events like Homecoming and Warfest. As well as smaller-scale ones like the carnival. They branch out to sports like basketball, soccer, football, and more. The radio station ensures that it covers the news. Even having special segments for their own shows that are created and run by the students.
While there are many areas to be covered by staff, the club is receiving too many people coming in for the available roles. Having been affiliated with the radio since 1998, Derek Jones, station manager of Rowan Radio, is in charge of supervising the students and staff at Rowan. Something that might seem like a worry is not an issue for him.
The staff is looking to hit anywhere from 100 to 120 people by commencement in May 2026. The club has been having difficulty finding the best way to manage this.
“I think that the challenges we face are finding opportunities for students… I think the demand on students’ time right now is as great as it’s ever been, just in general between work and school and internships and then trying to find time for extracurricular activities,” said Jones.
Senior dual sports communications, media, and public relations major Riley Adams works as the operations manager and has the same sentiment towards the struggle. To combat the influx of students joining the station, Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM offers different programs to get more students involved, such as sports minutes, news minutes, and the Rowan Report. On top of these opportunities, there are also plenty of shows new members can sign up to host.
Adams attributed the uptick in club interest to the slew of sports communication and journalism students intrigued with the news and sports programs they run. Jones credits the club’s success to the large membership count.
“The last few years, we won college radio station of the year in 2022 and 23. We’re an award-winning program. So I think people kind of take note of that and see, okay, this is a program that has been successful. So let me see how I can fit within that program. So I think it’s a combination of factors,” said Jones.
While Jones thinks the influx is great to see, he genuinely sees the benefits of joining the club for students from all different majors.
“If you want a job in a radio-related industry, coming through, obviously, would help. But I do think if you’re a student who is looking to improve communication skills, I think this is a definite help for you. I’ve seen students from all kinds of majors outside of communication that have been a part of the radio station and not only have success, but have had tremendous success doing business majors, engineering majors, music industry majors,” said Jones.
Jones and Adams are excited to welcome the new members for an exciting year. Jones is highlighting the station’s new take on the Rowan Report with a sports version, with students being reporters for four teams that would find them interviewing players and coaches throughout the year. Coming up in the near future is the staple Election Night. Most importantly for them is that students are making connections and building communities.
“We really just want to focus in on bonding and making sure everybody knows each other, and it’s just like a welcoming community. Every semester, we have a new batch of kids come in. So we just want to make sure everybody feels appreciated, they feel welcome, and they’re enjoying their time there,” said Adams.
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