This week, as WNZR celebrates 40 years of being a Lifeline to Knox County, we’re taking a look back at the history that helped shape our station. On Tuesday, we revisited highlights from 1996-2005 in WNZR’s history! WNZR’s second 10 years on the air produced amazing people, programs, and moments that helped establish the station over the years.
Here are the milestones that we took a look at:
- 1996 – Marcy Rinehart returned to WNZR as the new Station Manager. A new morning show hit the airwaves called “Rinehart and Russell” – with Marcy and sophomore Mike Russell
- 1997 – WNZR becomes an official partner of Food for the Hungry in December 1997.
- Summer of 1999 – we had a studio renovation of our practice studio where MVNU broadcasting students go through their initial DJ training.
- 2001 – WNZR participated in Ohio Family Fest – June 2001. This activity was connected to the Focus on the Family National Bike Ride for the Family. Molly Saunders, a WNZR listener participated in the ride!
- 2001 – WNZR was the FIRST radio station in the country to be featured on Briargate Media’s website with station affiliates across the world.
- November 2002 – WNZR’s tower took a massive lightning strike, which left us off the air for 2 days.
- 2002 – Plus One Contest…we had a Luau Party and the Plus One members came. This was part of MVNU’s Homecoming 2002.
- Summer 2002 – The WNZR website debuted.
- October 1, 2003 – WNZR started our on-line broadcast ministry. You can hear WNZR live on www.wnzr.fm
- December 2004 and January 2005 – THE BIG Studio renovation. WNZR’s main studio for 90.9FM underwent a complete renovation. This $30,000 renovation was made possible by listener support! This change has given us a digital studio with the latest broadcast equipment and a state-of-the-art studio for our students. Please stop by for a tour!
- February 2005 – Joe Rinehart came to MVNU as the Director of Broadcasting and started a new show called “The Afternoon Drive”
- July 2005 – WNZR created the official soundtrack for Mount Vernon’s Bicentennial fireworks display. The soundtrack featured Bicentennial flashbacks highlighting the 200 year history of the city of Mount Vernon. Station Manager, Marcy Rinehart served as an announcer for the city’s Bicentennial parade.
- September 2005 – WNZR participates in “Cards for Katrina” – a nationwide campaign of Christian radio stations to collect gift cards for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
- October 2005 – WNZR coordinates a Knox County drive to support victims of Hurricane Katrina. “Knox County Makes A Difference” Over $7,000 was collected in one day. The event involved county-wide collection points, a full line-up of music at Riverside Park, kids’ games at Mount Vernon High School and a live broadcast with WNZR from City Hall. The event also featured a hog auction where a WNZR listener donated the pork that he won from WNZR at the Knox County Fair. This meat was auctioned off to give money to the effort.
We also hear from former WNZR employees and students who share memories and stories from their time at the station. Our guests today included Mitch Barber, Alan Reed, and Joe and Marcy Rinehart! Their conversations give us a glimpse into WNZR’s history and the impact the station had on the the people who helped build it. Join us as we celebrate the memories, people, and faithfulness of God that have been part of the WNZR story for four decades.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation with Mitch Barber!
Click HERE to hear the full conversation with Joe and Marcy RInehart!
Leave a comment