Award-Winning Airwaves

The team behind KXSU, Seattle University’s student-run radio station, brought home some hardware from this year’s Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) awards in New York City— “Best Show Intro” for KXSU’s Local Hour program and “Best Social Media Account.” In total, KXSU received five nominations, emblematic of the growing national awareness of the station. (Last year KXSU also took home two awards from IBS for “Best Logo” and “Best Specialty Show.”)

Pumping 17 watts of power from an antenna posted high on the roof of Campion Hall, KXSU broadcasts can be heard within roughly six miles of campus on the FM dial—102.1—and streaming worldwide at KXSU.org. The station, which is housed in the Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation, features a roster of DJs mostly made up of students but also includes other members of the SU community as well as staff members. DJs largely have free reign over their shows, which usually run from 60 to 120 minutes, and feature music from an array of genres, from jazz to indie, hip hop to rock, metal to country.

KXSU Station Manager Natalie Melendez, who joined the station as a staff member on July 1, 2024, began her broadcasting career working at the radio station at her alma mater, Central Washington University. So, what makes KXSU’s show intro and social media the best in the country? It’s simple—authenticity.

“Being authentic breeds success in the industry. Listeners and followers are smart and can tell right away if someone is not authentic,” she says. “I think finding what makes you or your brand unique and homing in on that will bring success.”

(l-r) Mac Stanchfield, Emmy Vonada, Natalie Melendez and Chloe Siekmeier proudly show off their awards at the ceremony in New York City. 

Best Show Intro is for a weekend show called “Local Hour” that plays the music of favorite Seattle-area bands. The show fits with the culture of KXSU and its support of local artists and musicians.

“Our KXSU team … worked very hard last academic year to bring that show to life,” says Melendez. “A previous KXSU student created the show intro that plays before the Local Hour and that was what we won! It is a true testament to KXSU’s mission to highlight the local music community in Seattle.”

Earning the honor of Best Social Media account focuses greatly on the strides the station has made on Instagram. In addition to work done in the past by KXSU staffers to build up their social media presence, Melendez says there was a concerted push to take their social media to the next level and incorporate more video content. And it paid off. “We are very proud to bring home the best social media account for our Instagram!”

On a personal level, receiving these awards “means everything,” says Melendez.

“I have always wanted to win one of these awards since I was 21 and was getting into college radio,” she says. “There were a lot of obstacles that went into the submission process and it made me worry that we would not receive a nomination. Trophies are not everything, but they sure do feel good to take home!”

Just for Fun…

What’s your favorite musical artist or genre?
“This is soooo hard to answer, because I truly do listen to everything. I have been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd as of late.”

Do you have a favorite “show” on KXSU (if you can pick favorites as station manager)?
“I love every show for different reasons! I do really enjoy Jamming with Jasper. Jasper Brown is the host of this show and his music choices to play are so eclectic.

In one sentence how would you describe KXSU for those who have never tuned in or didn’t realize SU has its own station?
“KXSU is so diverse. Not just in our programming, but also in the community we have built this past year.”