Fisk Clears the Air to Capture “Best Nashville College Radio Station” Honors at the March of Dimes’ 2007 A.I.R. Awards

For the second consecutive year, Fisk University’s 88.1 WFSK-FM was named “Best Nashville College Radio Station” at the Music City Division of the March of Dimes’ A.I.R. (Achievement in Radio) Awards Banquet sponsored by Curb Records.

“Our Listening audience is growing, and the community recognizes WFSK as a quality broadcast facility” said WFSK General Manager Sharon Kay. When listeners support WFSK, they are supporting Fisk University and its tradition of excellence.”

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 eight major markets and proceeds from the annual awards banquet benefit the March of Dimes.

WFSK and other Nashville-area stations were judged by media delegates from Pittsburg and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Stations submit five minute clips of on-air work are judged on the basis of creativity, professionalism, clarity.

WFSK earned six finalist nominations and captured honors in three categories. The “Best College Radio Station” honor was awarded to the station for a Fisk student forum on national campus security edited by WFSK intern Mike Harris. WFSK General Manager Sharon Kay’s Sunday morning edition of “What’s The 411” helped to secure the “Best Morning Drive Show” award for the station, and Kay was also recognized for her leadership as this year’s recipient of the “Mike Curb Outstanding Community Service Award.”  

This fall, WFSK realized another milestone when Nashville listeners contributed over $35,500 to WFSK during October’s fundraiser and established a new benchmark for the station’s listener support drives. As a kickoff event, the station held its second annual, 48-hour Radiothon during Fisk University’s Jubilee Day Weekend. The largest single contributors were Fisk Alumni and included Matthew Knowles, renowned poet, author and educator Nikki Giovanni, and Hazel O’Leary, president of Fisk University. A cast of community volunteers, celebrities, station personnel and delegates from the Fisk family assisted in capturing this new milestone for the station. Fisk President Hazel R. O’Leary, Award-winning poet and Fisk Alumna Nikki Giovanni, WTVF Nashville News Anchor Vikki Yates, United States Representative Jim Cooper, newly-elected Councilman at Large Jerry Maynard, WTVF Nashville News Meteorologist Lelan Statom, WSMV New Anchor Tom Randles, gospel recording artist Nyoki, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Meharry Medical College President Dr. Wayne Riley  and over 30 student volunteers were among the support base contributing to the station’s fundraiser.

Since 1973, Fisk University has broadcast community-based programming for listeners in Nashville, Tennessee on 88.1FM, WFSK. In 2005, the station became Tennessee’s only black-owned affiliate of Public Radio International. As the home for smooth jazz in Nashville, WFSK is staffed with over 40 community and student volunteers and broadcasts 22 culturally-diverse national and local programs.

Founded in 1866, Fisk is Nashville’s oldest university. According to the National Science Foundation, Fisk graduates more African Americans who go on to earn their Ph.D.s in the natural sciences than any college or university in the nation.