Posted February 28, 2023, at 9:15 PM. Updated March 3, 2023, at 7:20 AM.

Today, February 28, 2023, the student radio station at Western Connecticut State University, WXCI 91.7 FM, celebrates fifty years on air. On this day in 1973, DJ Rabbett went live on the air under its current license from the Federal Communications Commission as a Noncommercial Educational station.

Although the official history of WXCI starts in 1973, an unofficial pre-history entitled “WXCI-FM – a history of sorts (1968-1973)” written for the twenty fifth anniversary by former host and WXCI Life Member “Brian J. ‘BJ’ Burgess” was discovered two years ago in the Echo newsroom during reorganization of our archives. The full document, which was handed over to the WXCI archivist, details the origin of the station as an unofficial AM station, originally WSCT, an outgrowth of the Campus Broadcasting Association at the then newly renamed Western Connecticut State College, as a reaction to the conservative political atmosphere and student counterculture of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The document outlines the struggles of the plucky aspiring radio hosts to overcome administrative resistance and censorship. Further difficulties came up procuring reliable funding and equipment in a climate of harsh austerity imposed by the state government. As a result, the first class of DJs engaged in much “borrowing” of equipment from other clubs and academic departments. The account details the close collaboration of then WSCT and the Echo in securing funding, equipment, and facilities. The call sign “WXCI” was chosen for the Roman numerals for 91, based on the station frequency, after other area FM stations with similar initials objected to WSCT.

After receiving official permission from campus, state, and federal officials, WXCI went live at 12:30 pm, February 28, 1973, transmitting at 10 watts of power. Today, the 220 foot, 3000 watt broadcast tower is located on Westside campus, while DJs continue to lay down beats and on air hosts provide news and information from the studio located just down the hall form the Echo newsroom at Midtown Student Center. Earlier this academic year, reporters from WXCI and the Echo worked together to interview State and national candidates in the 2022 election, and to offer coverage of the State of the Union address and the Super Bowl.

Although adverse weather prevented in-person celebrations day of, station members past and present have taken to social media to share photos and memories. Well wishes have come pouring in from members of the public and prominent guests, including Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, who sent a certificate of congratulations. Further events are planned for coming days and weeks, and members and alumni of the station express an optimistic hope for the station’s future on campus and as part of student life. Readers can tune in to WXCI at 91.7 FM, or online at wxci.org. In celebration of the occasion, readers can also review online articles including work with WXCI here.