I worked at KTRU for 5 years (4 as undergrad and one as a community volunteer). This station was a huge part of the reason that I had a successful experience at Rice. I developed leadership, communication, and volunteering skills. I delved deeply into alternative music and made friendships that are still strong and thriving. KTRU was a huge part of my experience at Rice even though I was a biology and environmental science major and have worked in my field ever since I graduated.

KTRU was my home away from home. It was the reason I stayed in college, the reason I was able to thrive on the small campus in the middle of Houston. KTRU gave me a voice, a purpose, a place where I belonged, where I was valued. The university is being very shortsighted in the sale of the station. I can’t imagine 9.5 million makes a big of difference overall. Not when you alienate a whole segment of the student population who was active and involved with the station for the past 40 years.

Rice students are often viewed by the broader community as being cloistered behind the hedges. KTRU on the FM dial is one way that students have been able to reach out beyond the hedges. KTRU reaches out to the music lovers all over the Houston area and provides a critical media outlet for independent, underheard music in a big market. I am deeply disappointed in the school administration’s secret handling of the entire matter.

Julie Wroble
Hanszen ‘89
KTRU DJ ’85-‘90
Promotions Director, Assistance Music Director, and Music Director