Celebrating 20 Years of Sound: Looking Back on the June 30, 2005 move to 90.5 on the FM Dial

Twenty years ago today, WERG Radio at Gannon University made an exciting leap by transitioning from 89.9 to 90.5 on the FM dial. Years of hard work came to fruition as engineer Mike Kobylka flipped the switch at 9:50 that morning. Student General Manager Evan O'Polka handled the transition on-air from the Walker Building studios while many representatives of the Gannon University faculty and administration were present for the occasion.

The frequency change not only enhanced sound quality but also significantly broadened WERG's outreach, marking a crucial milestone in WERG's history at Gannon University.

A cornerstone of WERG Radio's journey is its unwavering commitment to nurturing student talent. The station provides practical opportunities in radio broadcasting, journalism, and music curation. Many alumni attribute their career success to the skills they acquired at WERG.

Over the decades, countless students have hosted their own shows, produced content, and taken on leadership roles at the station. The real-world experience gained here equips students with invaluable skills for their future careers.

As we turned the page and started a new era in the history of WERG Radio, we commemorated the day in memory of former chief engineer, Dr. John Duda, who passed-away before the project was completed.

Thanks to:

Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, Gannon University president

Dr. Phil Kelly, interim provost

Linda Wagner, V.P. of Finance

Dr. Tim Towns, Dean, College of Humanities, Business, and Education

AJ Miceli, chairperson, Depatment of Theatre, Communication, and Fine Arts

Mary Carol Gensheimer, faculty, Depatment of Theatre, Communication, and Fine Arts

Dr. Chet LaPrice, Operations Manager of 90.5 WERG

Joel Natalie, consulting

Mike West, creative audio imaging (new station liners)

Mel Himes, engineering

Mike Kobylka, chief of engineering

The students of Gannon University for their patience and excitement for the change

The Federal Communications Commission

Jack Hanrahan, Erie Times-News coverage

In memory of Dr. John Duda

"This one's for John"

Audio of the transiton: