It became official on August 31, 2015. Neumann University broadcasted live on the FM radio dial – 98.5 to be exact.

Although Neumann Radio started its online programming in January 2008, this FM signal allows the students, staff and the surrounding community to tune in while driving in their cars.

“These stations are designed to serve the needs of the community,” said Neumann Media General Manager Sean McDonald ’08, ’11.

Officially, the radio signal has a 3.5 mile radius, but McDonald has been able to pick up the station in West Chester and Wilmington, Delaware.

The station broadcasts 24/7 with students and faculty hosting a variety of programs including sports talk, jazz and rock hours, and the history of comedy hosted by English professor Bill Hamilton.

“Anyone is welcome, any student that wants to express their voice and be heard. All academic majors are welcomed and that’s what sets us apart from other schools’ programs,” said McDonald.  “I work one-on-one with the students when they come in. We train them on how to use the studio and FCC regulations.”

Neumann Media, which is run by 120 students from a variety of different majors, hosts “WNUW on the Rocks” a weekly concert program that is broadcast live on 98.5 WNUW-FM. It is part of the #WUW (What's Up Wednesdays) series that happens every Wednesday during the semester from 3- 5 p.m., co-sponsored by various departments on campus.

“We try to appease the ear of everybody. We play songs that you’re not going to hear elsewhere. We really focus on local artists,” McDonald said.

The new station has been well received by the Neumann University community, and McDonald is hearing from more and more musicians looking to showcase their music.
“Artists are coming to us, and bands want to come here to play their music for our community. We want to be the people who discover the next U2,” said McDonald.
On October 2, Neumann’s radio station will be participating in College Radio Day. McDonald is the vice president of this national group and has some “high flying” plans to help Neumann celebrate.

Joe Bonadonna, Jr., Neumann University adjunct professor and a licensed pilot, will be flying over campus in a private jet doing a live broadcast at 1:00 p.m.  Neumann Media will be airing a video of this event, too.

McDonald is constantly working on opportunities for Neumann students to participate in local and national media events. They hosted the video stream for 102.9 WMGK's John DeBella Veterans Radiothon in June.  In October, he is taking students to the College Broadcasters Inc. Student Media Conference in Minneapolis to present the topic "4 Parts, 1 Organization: The Importance of Converging Media."

“I would like Neumann to really be considered a contender for communication students. I want people to see that we are the real deal and we prepare people for getting jobs,” he said.