This Sunday, KGSM Radio will be up and running for the start of its second full year of streaming since its rebirth during the spring of 2012. The student-run organization has recently adopted the symbol of a phoenix as its logo—a fitting icon. Although the station has experienced tremendous low points within the past 40 years, KGSM continues to beat the odds and return stronger than ever. This year the station is making several exciting changes including 24-hour streaming that will hopefully increase support and listenership across campus.

KGSM was founded in 1972 by students Gary Hoff and Stephen Oates after the initial failure of KGAC, Gustavus’s first radio station. What fol- lowed were decades of bad luck, including low listenership, financial struggles, and a few brief hiatuses following the 1998 tornado—which destroyed the campus radio transmitters. This year, however, KGSM’s Station Manager, Junior Environmental Studies Major Sydney Firmin, hopes to change the organization’s luck.

“We’re currently in a building phase,” she explained, “And everyone who’s involved has the opportunity to be a part of something exciting.”

The executive board of KGSM plans on initiating more campus outreach by streaming music online 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The station also plans to record and replay shows for students who are unable to tune in to the live events. Firmin explained that they hope to periodically broadcast the show in the Courtyard Café to reach a larger audience.

When asked about her thoughts as to why KGSM has not received as much attention as other media outlets on campus, Firmin responded that access to the station’s streaming link is more difficult than it should be.

“It’s not quite as easy as turning on a radio,” she said, for the show is broadcasted exclusively over the internet. She plans on encouraging DJs to utilize social media to promote their shows.

Like many of the station’s DJs, Firmin was initially drawn to KGSM by the “coolness” factor of college radio.

“It’s off the beaten path,” she said, explaining that radio is a different medium of artistic expression than visual and written art.

Sophomore Sociology Major and KGSM DJ Mickey Quinn stressed the importance of supporting college radio rather than always plugging in to iTunes or Spotify.

“You never go anywhere if you don’t take chances,” he said, “Maybe you’ll find a new band you really like.”

KGSM co-hosts Ross Larson and Jens Thomsen, both juniors, were also quick to point out why radio is a special medium.

“Someone else is playing the music and taking the time to pick it out for you,” stated Thomsen, “It’s a good way to introduce you to lots of new music.”

When asked about their favorite aspect of KGSM in particular, both commented on how the casualness of the KGSM studio appealed to them.

“It’s not intimidating,” Larson said, “The shows are all pretty casual, and it allows us to do what we do.”

Whether someone is interested in broadcasting, or simply tuning in several times a week, KGSM is striving to make it easier than ever to be a part of the process.

The station is still accepting DJ applications, and will continue to do so until all possible time slots are filled (for more information, contact Sydney Firmin at sfirmin@gustavus.edu).

The 24-hour music-streaming has already begun, and live shows will kick off Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m.