Stewart Brings New Life to WLBN

Radio broadcasting enthusiast Paul Stewart knew from the day he set foot on Albion College's campus during his college search that he wanted to bring new life to the College's student radio station.

• Listen live to WLBN!

Radio broadcasting enthusiast Paul Stewart knew from the day he set foot on Albion College's campus during his college search that he wanted to bring new life to the College's student radio station.

The Bloomfield Hills native, who served as program director of his high school's station, made his capital improvement plan for WLBN the topic of his presentation for the Distinguished Albion Scholars Program last winter and left the judges slack-jawed with the polish and passion he would bring to the campus community.

Thanks to a donation of a new audio console, advising from Albion communication studies professor Andy Boyan, and interest from students, Stewart has made huge improvements at the station in just one semester on campus. Listeners can now tune in from anywhere via the Internet.

"I asked to see the station when I toured campus," Stewart said. "I looked at the booth and knew the station needed renovation, but this is something I’m passionate about. It’s more joy than work."

He has lined up close to 25 students who share his love of radio, and new programming began during the fall semester.

"WLBN has 10 on-air personalities with 24-hour programming seven days a week every day of the year," he added.

Stewart went on to say that the learning curve at Albion revolved around finding the contacts for funding improvements and finding interested students and staff.

Planning to major in economics and management, Stewart already owns a business specializing in sound system design and installation, and he has more plans for WLBN. He wants to begin workshops to provide training for the air staff while adding equipment for the studio and remote broadcasts.

"I'm looking to add a telephone hybrid to allow air staff to take calls, and equipment for remote broadcasts," Stewart said. "We're constantly improving."