WMU’s student-run WIDR-FM receives national, international recognition

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The nation’s best college radio station is preparing to defend its title.  

Western Michigan University’s 89.1 WIDR-FM has received global acclaim, with students named finalists for a total of 16 awards between the 2025-26 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) awards and the 2025 International Student Broadcasting Championship. 

“To be recognized on a national and international stage is truly remarkable and a testament to the high-quality work the students at 89.1 WIDR-FM produce every day,” says Glen Dillon, assistant director for student media. “I’m incredibly proud of their accomplishments.” 

The reigning IBS Abraham & Borst Award winner for Best Overall Station, WIDR is the only station to be named a finalist in consecutive years in at least the past five years, Dillon says. 

“We have a great team and community, and without our volunteers, [this success] would not be possible,” says Dan Hubble, 89.1 WIDR-FM’s general manager and a multimedia arts technology major from Okemos. “89.1 WIDR-FM has been a staple of Kalamazoo for decades, and our listeners are passionate about success, which makes us passionate.” 

Hubble and his team from WIDR will head to the annual IBS conference in New York City on Feb. 20-21 to learn if they’ll take home the top prize in the following categories, where they’ve been nominated as finalists: 

Members of WIDR were also recognized among elite students around the world in November at the International Student Broadcasting Championship as finalists in the following categories: 

“89.1 WIDR-FM has helped me grow an incredible amount in so many aspects of my life,” says Ryan Misiak, the station’s production director and a multimedia arts and technology major from Brighton. “It’s contributed greatly to helping enhance my audio and video production skills. It’s also great to collaborate with others here at the station and see the ideas come to life in the projects we make.” 

Caity Ahearne, the station’s program director, agrees. 

“What makes WIDR special is the opportunities the station has to offer,” says Ahearne, a film, video and media studies major from Tawas City. “My involvement in WIDR has helped me grow my leadership skills as well as my communication skills. It’s helped me get involved in other organizations—such as the Campus Activities Board and Student Media Group—and helped make my social circle grow.” 

Western’s Student Media Group is on an impressive streak. Since the 2017-18 IBS awards, students have earned recognition as finalists for 53 awards and won a total of 12. Misiak attributes WIDR’s success to unmatched ambition. 

“We take a look at other college stations, aim to be better and hold ourselves up to higher standards,” he says. “The station operates on industry standard software and hardware, which can be difficult for most college students to acquire. Anyone interested in media production can develop or improve their skills in so many aspects across all of 89.1 WIDR-FM’s departments.” 

Hubble stresses that WIDR’s success has an impact beyond campus as well; he views it as a stepping stone toward career success. 

“Being at WIDR has opened so many doors for me,” he says. “The biggest way it has affected my life is by connecting me to the local music scene. Additionally, I have connected with alumni who I see myself working with professionally once I graduate.” 

Students interested in joining 89.1 WIDR-FM can reach out to the station’s leaders online. 

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.