Fisk University’s 88.1 WFSK-FM has been awarded “Best College Radio Station in Nashville” honors by the March of Dimes A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) Awards Committee sponsored by Curb Records.

WFSK received nominations in nearly ten categories including “Best Talk Show” “Best Talk Show Producer” and “Best College Radio Show”. Through the combined effort of WFSK General Manager Sharon Kay, WFSK Program Director Xuam A. Lawson, current Fisk student and host of WFSK’s “Mellow Madness” Frank Myers, as well as the station’s weekly volunteer staff, WFSK was able to capture top honors and add to its recent distinction by the Black Press Association as “Best African American College Radio Station in America.”

“WFSK serves as a real voice of the Nashville community,” says Sharon Kay, General Manager. “Our listeners rely on us for programming that they can’t hear anywhere else in the city. When they support WFSK they’re supporting more than just a radio station. They’re bringing in news and information as well as entertainment that are sometimes overlooked by commercial stations.”

WFSK personalities were joined on-air and behind the scenes by local and nationally known personalities in the areas of education, politics, entertainment, television journalism, and sports. Fisk President Hazel R. O’Leary, Mayor Bill Purcell, Congressman Jim Cooper, Dr. Roosevelt Peebles and former Tennessee Titan Chris Saunders were among the diligent volunteers who aided the station’s campaign to increase its listener support base.

The annual A. I. R. awards is a competition that celebrates excellence in radio, and recognizes accomplishments in categories ranging from on-air talent, station events and promotions to news, public affairs and advertising. A.I.R. Awards is the radio awards program of choice in 8 major markets. It is the only awards program of its kind, acknowledging talent & achievement on a local level.

“We’re really looking to capitalize on the positive momentum from the recent accolades that the station has received,” says Xuam “X-Man” Lawson, Program Director at WFSK. “The station has such a groundswell of new energy and community support.”

Station volunteers and members of the Nashville community rallied during the month of October to help WFSK raise $32,900 during its inaugural 48-hour radiothon and fall fundraiser.

WFSK personalities were joined on-air and behind the scenes by local and nationally known personalities in the areas of education, politics, entertainment, television journalism, and sports. Fisk President Hazel R. O’Leary, Mayor Bill Purcell, Congressman Jim Cooper, Dr. Roosevelt Peebles and former Tennessee Titan Chris Saunders were among the diligent volunteers who aided the station’s campaign to increase its listener support base.

Funds collected for WFSK will be used for enhancements to the technical infrastructure of the station.

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