1967: Don Elser, Steve Grcevich, and YSU President Albert Pugsley propose a fine arts radio station for Youngstown State University and the Mahoning Valley Community
1969:
At 10:00 a.m. October 23, WYSU-FM signs on the air at 88.5 MHz as a charter member of National Public Radio, broadcasting 12 hours daily from its studios in room 310 of the former Valley Park Motel on Wick Avenue. Original staff members were:
Steve Grcevich, Director of Telecommunications
Bill Foster, Announcer/Record Librarian
Polly Golden, Secretary
Lew Moler, Chief Engineer
Richard Stevens, Program Director
Began airing All Things Considered
Aired first edition of Folk Festival with Charles Darling
1971: Became part of the first radio network using satellite delivery of programs
1972: Aired first edition of Now's The Time with Martin Berger
1973: Began airing Saturday Night on Broadway with Don Elser
1974: Began 18-hour broadcast day
1976: Moved studios to newly built Cushwa Hall
1980:
Began 24-hour broadcast day
First on-air fundraiser
1985:
Morning Edition began
Robert Peterson named director
1987:
Bill Foster passes away
Barbara Krauss named announcer/producer
1988: Ann Cliness named announcer/producer
1990: Began summer bus excursions to Blossom Music Center
1991:
Began operation of new 50,000 watt transmitter with antenna moved to WKBN tower
Aired live coverage of the first Gulf War
1993: Ashtabula translator began operation at 90.1 FM
1995: New Wilmington translator began operation at 89.9
1996:
Added state-of-the-art digital editing equipment
Sponsored first Mad About The Arts
Automated overnight programs
1997: Added political affairs program Commentary Cafe
1998:
Michael Cervone named announcer/producer
Improved New Wilmington signal by moving translator to 97.5 FM
2000:
First station-sponsored European tour: Great Britain
Gary Sexton named director of broadcasting
Added website & streaming audio
Initiated Robert W. Peterson Scholarship
2001:
David Luscher named associate director
Aired live coverage of 9/11
Expanded news programming
2003:
Began broadcasting Youngstown 2010 simulcasts with PBS 45 &49
Added A Prairie Home Companion
2004: Installed digital equipment in the broadcast studios
2006: Began first strategic planning process since station made its debut
2007:
Began broadcasting in HD (digital)
Began Lincoln Avenue community affairs program
2008:
Added all-classical HD channel
Added all-classical Internet stream
Translators
WYSU simulcasts on two low-power transmitters: W201DP in Ashtabula, broadcasting on 88.1 MHz with 38 watts, and W209CQ in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, broadcasting on 89.7 MHz with 27 watts.
