Jaguar Student Media marked a significant milestone this November, celebrating the first anniversary of Radio Jaguar, GovState’s online campus radio station. The occasion was commemorated with a birthday party in the Hall of Governors featuring music, giveaways, and community fun.
The event drew students, faculty, and staff who gathered to celebrate Radio Jaguar’s success. DJ Tam set the tone with a mix of music that prompted spontaneous dancing in the Hall of Governors and on the library balcony.
“The day was a fabulous celebration with lots of excitement,” said Lara Hrycaj, Ph.D., faculty advisor for Radio Jaguar. “I enjoyed seeing the energy surrounding the giveaways and the dancing.”
Guests had the chance to win raffle prizes, including AirPods, Radio Jaguar T-shirts, and on-air experiences where winners could curate their own playlists.
One of the lucky winners, Sama Parimala, walked away with a pair of AirPods. “I am so excited!” Parimala said. “I never win anything!”
Radio Jaguar officially launched in November 2023 as part of Jaguar Student Media, which also includes The Phoenix student newspaper and GSU TV. The station was envisioned as a platform for streaming entertaining content, music and podcasts to serve both the GovState and Southland communities.
Run by students, the station offers hands-on experience in radio programming, production, and management. It also welcomes participation from faculty, staff, alums, and anyone who completes the required MST 4050 Radio Staff Training Workshop. “You don’t need to be a Media Studies student to join,” noted Dr. Hrycaj.
In its first year, Radio Jaguar has introduced several student-led shows. See the current schedule below:
- Tuesday, Noon – 2 p.m. Fresh Ideas at Noon Mix with DJ Tam (pop hits from yesterday and today)
- Wednesday, 2 – 3 p.m. Sounds and Breakdowns with Richi Bernard (video game and anime music)
- Wednesday, 4 – 5 p.m. What’s the Word Wednesday with Josiah and Richi (talk show on the latest in media and entertainment)
- Thursday, 6 – 8 p.m. Alt Wave with DJ Lady Ash (Alternative Rock)
Listeners also can enjoy various music and Radio Jaguar-produced spots throughout the day.
As Radio Jaguar enters its second year, the team is focused on delivering more engaging content and strengthening its connection with the GovState community. A growing catalog of podcasts is coming soon. “Snootie Foodie” for restaurant reviews, “Book’d On Demand” for a book club experience highlighting BIPOC authors, and “The Collar,” an investigative journalism podcast focusing on local issues, are a few examples.
Through new shows, special events and opportunities for students to get involved, the station aims to continue being a dynamic voice for the campus and beyond.
Those interested in creating a show or podcast can contact Hrycaj at [email protected] for more information. Tune in to Radio Jaguar here.
