John Carroll University’s radio station, WJCU 88.7 FM, raised a record-breaking $109,000 this February during its annual Radiothon, marking the first time in history the station broke six figures. This fundraising achievement comes on the heels of WJCU winning global recognition as the Best College Radio Station of the Year by the International Student Broadcasting Championship (ISBC).
Now in its 23rd year, Radiothon is WJCU’s primary fundraiser supporting the station’s operations, equipment upgrades, and programming. Over the course of 10 days—from Friday, February 6 to Sunday, February 15—student broadcasters and community volunteers invited listeners to pledge their support while sharing stories about the impact of college radio on campus and beyond.
Students were hands-on, playing a central role in the campaign, from selecting the annual theme and choosing donor gifts to staffing phones and delivering live on-air appeals. In exchange for donations, supporters receive items ranging from WJCU-branded merchandise to concert tickets generously donated by local venues and artists.
This year’s Radiothon shattered multiple station records, including:
- Total amount pledged: $109,000
- Highest single pledge: $10,000 from a former JCU Board Member
- Most pledged to a show: $25,000 to Jumpin' Joe's Basement Show, hosted by Joe Madigan
- Most pledged during a single show: $13,581.87 during Jumpin' Joe's Basement Show's second weekend
For John Carroll student Owen Close ’27, Co-Sports Director for WJCU, being on air during the historic $10,000 pledge was a moment he won’t forget.
“Breaking the record for Radiothon means an immense amount to every single person at WJCU,” said Close. “It is a testament to the generosity of our community of listeners, and we could not have broken the record without their incredible support. Their donations allow us to continue our programming, including our coverage of John Carroll Athletics, as well as music, news, and foreign language programming that is unique to our station, and helps us grow the next generation of media talent.”
While fundraising is the primary goal, the campaign also serves as a learning experience. Student broadcasters get to know their audience better and see the impact of their work.
“Radiothon gives students a real-world understanding of audience engagement and community support,” said Jasen Sokol, Director of WJCU 88.7 FM. “When listeners step up to contribute, it reinforces that what our students create has value. Radiothon this year showed what happens when a world-class team of students and community volunteers creates world-class content, and the audience recognizes the value of that content. It’s also a reflection of our audience's gratitude for John Carroll's strong support of college radio.”
On Monday, March 30, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., WJCU will welcome supporters to celebrate this year’s successful Radiothon, with raffle winners invited to pick up their prizes.
