

50 Years Of WERG
The History of WERG Radio:
The Seventies
70's
Known as The Fine 89, this was the era of "The Little Station That Could!" 10 watts of power, serving Gannon College and the surrounding blocks of downtown Erie at 89.1 on the FM dial from the depths of the Zurn Science Center. After the power increase was authorized in 1977, what was then called G-89 moved to 89.9-FM and could be heard throughout the city. The jocks would sometimes get calls from listeners in Southern Ontario!

Program Schedule from 1975

Clipping of a photo taken in the WERG Zurn Basement Studios, circa 1975. Standing: Steve Collins, Peg Orler Sitting: Dion Clarke

1975 Gannon "Lance"

Program Schedule from 1975
90's
With a transition to New Wave by the start of the decade, Energy-FM 90 was a powerhouse of alternative rock and rode the grunge revolution through the nineties.

1995 Gannon "Lance"

1995 Gannon "Lance"
2010's
National recognition came in 2014 when 90.5 WERG was named the best college radio station in the country. That same year was the big move from the Walker Building into the brand new Center for Communication and the Arts at West 7th and Peach Street on the GU campus.

AJ Flowers on the air! (2016)

Former department chairperson AJ Miceli, conversing with students and alumni in the Jock Lounge of the former Walker Building studios (Homecoming 2007)


AJ Flowers on the air! (2016)
The Scrapbook
From across the decades...clippings from the Gannon Knight, the Gannon Lance, and our friends in Erie media!

Gannon Knight article: April 2, 1987

Hey! WERG-FM 89.1 is back on the air for the summer! (early/mid-seventies)

And the Soul of the City for almost as long. From our archives, an undated article on the origins of WERG’s Super Soul Saturday, and an interview with the late, legendary Bobby K.

Gannon Knight article: April 2, 1987
WERG Takes Manhattan
Our adventures in The Big Apple over the years at the annual media conferences of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.

At Union Station, waiting for the train to take is to NYC for the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System media conference: March 2016



At Union Station, waiting for the train to take is to NYC for the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System media conference: March 2016
WERG Today
Dedicated student leadership and consistent content creation has led to another "Best Station in America" finish in 2021. 90.5 WERG continues to serve Gannon University and northwest Pennsylvania. Wake-up early with Sonic Sunrise, enjoy the best rock on the radio, the Tuesday Top 30, the Prime Time Sports Guys, Super Soul Saturday, and more. 90.5 WERG - - The Right Choice, Left on the Dial!

Erie Otters Intern Erik Konwinski joined by Trevor Kubeja. Trevor was able to join the Prime Time Sports guys remotely.



Erie Otters Intern Erik Konwinski joined by Trevor Kubeja. Trevor was able to join the Prime Time Sports guys remotely.
80's
Now from Gannon University, you are listening to "The Choice FM"! Using the moniker Rock 89, WERG offered up a consistent schedule of rock music during the week and Super Soul Saturday every evening. By the end of the decade, there were CD players in the Zurn basement studios and a crystal-clear FM stereo signal.

Speaking of Norton Magee…the story behind one of WERG’s most well-known DJ’s of the 80’s! (Gannon Knight, Nov. 8, 1988 issue)

WERG General Manager Scott Powell and Faculty Advisor Tom Weber in the Zurn Basement studios, September 11, 1989 (courtesy: Gannon Knight)

Dr. John Duda with the staff of WB3DWL (1988 Gannon "Lance")

Speaking of Norton Magee…the story behind one of WERG’s most well-known DJ’s of the 80’s! (Gannon Knight, Nov. 8, 1988 issue)
2000's
When an audio stream was added, Gannon Radio went global! Then came the move out of the recesses of the Zurn Science Center basement into shiny new street-level studios in the Walker Building at the east end of the Gannon campus. With the move to a new dial position and signal that could now be heard throughout the entire tri-state region and beyond, the station went back to its call letter roots and was now 90.5 WERG.

2008 First Place Homecoming Banner Award with Janae, Amanda, Lauren, and Kristin

Travis Phelps, co-creator of The Prime Time Sports Guys, interviewed by the Gannon Knight in Spring 2004

2007 Gannon "Lance"

2008 First Place Homecoming Banner Award with Janae, Amanda, Lauren, and Kristin
Live on Location
90.5 WERG broadcasts live from events all over the Gannon campus and beyond!

Nick and Abby, emceeing the 2015 Homecoming parade

90.5 WERG’s Lauren and Amanda, live on-location from Gannon University Family Weekend in September 2008

Broadcasting live from the “Welcome Lunch” of the College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences on August 23, 2011. Beth Gaertner and Clarissa Schneider interview professor John Young on-air, live on-location from the Palumbo Academic Center.

Nick and Abby, emceeing the 2015 Homecoming parade
Former Station Logos
50 Years of Gannon Radio logos and marketing!




Studio Shots
Check out our tech!

Homer “Lee” Smith in the Walker Building studio (2009)

Remember our old classrooms in Nash Library before it was renovated? Down in the basement…

2015 - End of an Era! Our signage is being removed from our old home over at the Walker Building.

Homer “Lee” Smith in the Walker Building studio (2009)
Our Alumni
Doing their thing as content creators across the globe...Gannon got them there!

Drake the Knight with Sean & Sean (2008)

WERGY The Knight at PNC Park with Matt Walker, former 90.5 WERG General Manager (2012)


Drake the Knight with Sean & Sean (2008)