WELH Relaunches with a Full Schedule of Wheeler Programming
November 18, 2021
Wheeler’s radio station, WELH 88.1 FM, recently made some big programming changes for its listeners. When WELH and Rhode Island Public Radio formed a lease agreement in 2011 to broadcast National Public Radio content throughout the week, there was only a small window for Wheeler-produced student programming on Sunday evenings. However, that agreement ended on Oct. 1, meaning all of the programming is now cultivated by The Wheeler School. As part of the transition, WELH launched a “Cutting Edge Classic” music format featuring alternative rock from the 80s and 90s, and students have the opportunity to create shows and podcasts which run every weeknight. Featured programs include sports shows, music shows, and even a car review show, with more to come. WELH also represents the foundation of Wheeler’s Media Program. Middle School students can take enrichment classes where they are on the air, and Upper School Students can join the WELH Radio Club and visit the Digital Production Studio to create their own weekly broadcasts.
The history of Wheeler radio goes back to 1984 when student John E. Corrigan ’87 proposed the creation of a school radio station through the Aerie Enrichment Program. The station, initially known as WELR, was launched in 1986 and was programmed exclusively by Wheeler students. In 1992, the Federal Communications Commission granted a permit for Corrigan to build a 150-watt non-commercial, educational FM station on 88.1 FM (which was the last available FM frequency licensed to Providence, and WELH took to the air in December of 1994, broadcasting from a transmitter at the Wheeler Farm campus in Seekonk, Massachusetts.
You can read more about the history of WELH and listen to programming on the Wheeler School Broadcasting website.
