70 Candles On WSOU’s Cake

• 89.5 WSOU, Seton Hall University’s legendary hard-rocking student-run radio station will celebrate 70 years of continuous operation tomorrow. Festivities include a gathering of over 200 station alumni for dinner and the induction of three new members into the WSOU Hall of Fame: broadcaster Frank Garrity (’82), Bishop John O’Hara (’67), and Polka Party host and beloved teacher Professor Stanley Kosakowski. Music Choice music programmer Gabby Canella (’12) will also be presented with the station’s Distinguished Young Alumna Award. The dinner and induction ceremony will be held at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ.

Thousands of students got their first on-air experience at WSOU, and many of them, including ESPN’s Bob Leyand John Brickley, WINS/New York‘s Glenn Schuck, NYC traffic reporters Christina Lang, Kelly Dillon and Christina Stoffo, NJ 101.5‘s Jen Ursillo and former NY State Broadcasters Association President & CEO Joseph A. Reilly have gone on to successful careers in broadcasting.

The WSOU Hall of Fame honors distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions and recognizes their involvement with Seton Hall University’s student-run radio station.  Inductees are chosen based on their professional accomplishments, WSOU student career activities, service to WSOU and Seton Hall University after graduation, support of current students, personal examples of servant leadership, and involvement with alumni activities.\

“WSOU really is unique among college radio stations, not only for its longevity but also for the camaraderie among its alumni,” said GM Mark Maben. “What has been inspiring to see in recent years is the number of current students who are drawn to radio. One of the things that strikes me about this year’s group of honorees is how each one of them has touched the lives of so many students. Whether it has been through teaching, mentoring, helping someone secure that first job or internship, or professional or personal guidance, Frank, Gabby, John, and Stan have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of individuals. Each of them is a shining example of Seton Hall’s commitment to producing true servant-leaders.”