KWDM
| City of license | West Des Moines, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Branding | 88.7 KWDM The Point |
| Slogan | Des Moines' #1 Modern Rock Station |
| Frequency | 88.7 (MHz) |
| First air date | August 1, 1976 |
| Format | Modern Rock |
| ERP | 100 watts |
| Class | A |
| Callsign meaning | West Des Moines |
| Owner | West Des Moines Community School District |
| Website | 88.7 KWDM The Point |
KWDM, "88.7 KWDM The Point," is a modern rock high school radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa area on 88.7 FM. The radio station's studio is located at Valley High School in West Des Moines. It is owned and operated by the West Des Moines Community School District, though it is always operated by students at Valley. As a station run by high school students, it broadcasts all the time.
History
KWDM first began broadcasting in 1948 by George Webber under the frequency 1150 AM. He then sold the station to investors from 3M in 1959. 1150 AM's call letters changed to KWKY.
In 1964, Webber revived KWDM via the frequency 93.3 FM. The station consisted of block programming of music, usually ethnic music not heard elsewhere in Des Moines as well as a talk show by his wife and play-by-play sports. KWDM was never a top performer in the ratings, but it did have a loyal following. However, that following was not enough to keep it afloat and the station was in constant financial trouble.
In 1968, George Webber began selling KWDM on contract to The SEQ Corporation. On April 10, 1969, the owner of the tower and transmitter site shut down the station due to non-payment of rent. A month later, Webber regained control of the station, operating it at reduced hours until it shut down.
Current ownership
In 1976, the West Des Moines Community School District took control of the KWDM call letters on 88.9 FM. The school district has control of the station to this day.
In 1994, KWDM's frequency was migrated from 88.9 FM to 88.7 FM and its power increased from 10 watts ERP to 100 watts. The station is one of two high school radio station in Iowa, the other being KDPS operated by Des Moines Public Schools.
Programming
KWDM's student staff dictate what format the station will play. Students have the option to change the format at the beginning of any school year. In the late 1970s and through much of the 1980s, the station played a free-form format where the on-air jock played the music of their choice. In the early 1990s, the station was a strictly classic rock format. In 1993, the station began playing the popular Alternative or Modern Rock format. In 1999, KWDM began to experiment a switch to CHR/Top 40 music. The move was abandoned after Clear Channel owned KKDM switched from Alternative to Top 40 and re-branded itself as "Kiss 107FM." The station continues to play the Modern Rock format today.
Student management
One of KWDM's hallmarks is its student management. While a faculty advisor oversees operations and is responsible for regulatory and engineering issues, students are predominantly responsible for the station's programming and music selection. One student is selected each year through a competitive application process to serve as station manager.
| School Year | Student Station Manager(s) | Faculty Advisor | Station Identity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987-1988: | Howie Hoffman | Lil McDonald | 88.9 KWDM |
| 1988-1989: | Rob Lettington | Lil McDonald | 88.9 KWDM |
| 1989-1990: | Ryan Burger | Lil McDonald | 88.9 KWDM "Tiger 89, the Hot FM" |
| 1990-1991: | N/A (Five Production Directors instead of one Station Manager) | Lil McDonald | 88.9 KWDM |
| 1991-1992: | Damond Fudge | Lil McDonald | 88.9 KWDM |
| 1992-1993: | Bryan Romig | Brian Christensen | "Power 89" |
| 1993-1994: | Chris Wulf | Brian Christensen | "Power 89" |
| 1994-1995: | T.G. Stouffer | Brian Christensen | 88.7 KWDM "Your Only Alternative" |
| 1995-1996: | Jeremy Bingaman | Brian Christensen | 88.7 KWDM "Des Moines' Only Alternative" |
| 1996-1997: | Brian Gongol | Brian Christensen | "New Rock 88.7" |
| 1997-1998: | Marianne Coppock | Brian Christensen | "New Rock 88.7" KWDM "The Source" |
| 1998-1999: | Justin Schoen | Brian Christensen | "New Rock 88.7" KWDM "The Source" |
| 1999-2000: | Jesse Hoffman | Brian Christensen | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2000-2001: | Tonya Garner | Brian Christensen | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2001-2002: | Nicole Faust | Brian Christensen | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2002-2003: | Joe Quinn/Jason Loe | Brian Christensen | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2003-2004: | MacKenzie Carey / Kate Maletta | Brian Christensen | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2004-2005: | Ryan Snider/Jeff Edwards | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2005-2006: | Hannah Korpela/Alex Salem | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2006-2007: | Lauren Mease/Cole Cheney | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2007-2008: | Joanna McNurlen | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2008-2009: | Ryan Mueksch/Jillian Shkolnick | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2009-2010: | Jillian Shkolnick/John Menken | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2010-2011: | Jacob Menken/Nailah Bakari | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2012-2013 | Dylan DeClerk/Joe Eilers | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
| 2013-2014 | Taylor Mankle | Janell Mikels | "88.7 KWDM The Point" |
KWDM alums in broadcasting
In the more than 30 years that the West Des Moines School District has owned KWDM, many of the station's alumni have gone on to careers in the radio and television industry.
| Student | Years on KWDM | Current Station | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Ditzel | 1976–1978 | VastMediaEmpire.com, Los Angeles, CA | Owner/ CEO (formerly worked at NBC-TV) |
| Alan Kline | 1977–1978 | KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA | Engineer |
| Dave Smiley | 1987–1990 | WZPL-FM, Indianapolis, IN | "The Smiley Morning Show" |
| Brian Allen | 1987–1991 | KSFY-TV, Sioux Falls, SD | News Anchor |
| Jeremy Bingaman | 1992–1996 | KSTZ-FM, KLTI-FM, Des Moines, IA | On Air Personality (Known as "Luke Matthews") |
| Chad Rufer | 1992–1996 | KZZO-CBS Radio, Sacramento, CA | Program Director |
| Brian Gongol | 1993–1997 | WHO (AM), Des Moines, IA | "The Brian Gongol Show," "WHO Radio Wise Guys" |
| Marianne Coppock | 1994–1998 | KSTZ-FM, Des Moines, IA | On-Air Swing |
| Brian Stark | 1994–1998 | Starz Entertainment, Englewood, Colorado | Media Systems Administrator |
| Leigh McNabb | 1995–1999 | WXSS-FM, Milwaukee, WI | Midday Host, Music Director, Assistant Program Director |
| Ashley Hinson | 1998–2001 | KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, IA | Morning and Midday News Anchor |
| Nicole Faust | 1999–2002 | Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA | Director of Interactive Media |
| Joe Quinn | 2000-2003 | KXSP, Omaha, NE | Co-Host, "The Drive" |
| Sarah Moritz | 2001–2004 | KAZR, Des Moines, IA | Saturday late nights, (known as Sarah Greene) |
| Nick Ratcliff | 2003–2006 | KSTZ-FM, Des Moines, IA | Weekends (has since left station) |
Current Shows and Information
Current broadcasts include:
The Morning Show: News, Weather, Traffic and a great way to start any morning on the way to work or school.
The Mankle in the Morning Show: Daily sit down with the station manager Taylor Mankle full of interactive fan requests and music.
The Spread: A Variety Show of sorts as prominent voices of the point shine through in a more musical light as improve song are made on the spot along with covers for the enjoyment of listeners. Lead by Taylor Mankle, along with Jacob White, Henry Parizek, and Nick Cesario.
Tiger Talk: A group discusion before every Valley Football game with guest callers, predictions, stats and much more. Lead by Jack Rodgers, Jeff Goetz, Jake Goetz, Logan Bylie, and Ben Swanson.
Football Games: Most VHS football games are broadcast live on air with play-by-play announcer Taylor Mankle and color announcers Nick Cesario and Ben Swanson.
Basketball Games: All VHS basketball home games are broadcast live by play-by-play announcer Taylor Mankle.
Half Time Show: If booked, local bands perform live in the studio for both football and basketball half time shows.
References
- KWDM FM 93.3. Accessed July 9, 2006.
- West Des Moines Community School District Home. Accessed July 9, 2006.
External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KWDM
- Radio-Locator information on KWDM
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KWDM
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Coordinates: 41°35′24″N 93°45′11″W / 41.590°N 93.753°W