WSIE steps into a new era with a stronger signal
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's jazz radio station, WSIE 88.7 — The Sound, is a feature story in The St. Louis American, highlighting the station's new tower and HD transmitter and what it means for listeners across the bi-state region.
Written by Kenya Vaughn, the piece captures a ribbon-cutting ceremony held May 13 at WSIE's Dunham Hall studios on the SIUE campus, bringing together donors, students, volunteers, and longtime supporters to mark a milestone more than 20 years in the making.
WSIE General Manager Jason Church noted that the station's previous transmitter dated back to 1986 — well past its expected lifespan. With the new equipment, listeners in Chesterfield, O'Fallon, Baldwin, and other areas of the St. Louis region are now receiving the signal with new clarity.
Paula Bridges, SIUE's Executive Director of University Marketing and Communications, called the moment a deeply personal one. "WSIE has been laboring in the love and legacy of music for decades," Bridges said. "But if your transmitter only goes so far, you can only reach so many people. Now… we can extend further west, south, east, and north."
First hitting the airwaves in 1970, WSIE has long served as more than a broadcast outlet — it is a training ground for students learning the craft of on-air announcing, and a home for volunteers who keep specialty programming alive. The St. Louis American coverage underscores the station's role as a cultural bridge, connecting younger audiences to the jazz roots that underpin so much of American music.
Read more in the St. Louis American
Watch the WSIE Ribbon Cutting and video tour of the transmitter facility on YouTube.
