The technology and music may have changed since a group of WPNR 90.7 FM alumni were on the air in the 1970s, but their love for the radio station has not. 

In fact, spinning records during their college radio days provided some of their best memories, according to Ed Naidamast, Burt Stein and Paul deLaubell, who all were disc jockeys when WPNR was known as WEDJ. 

On Aug. 28, the group reminisced on campus during a mini reunion that also included former WPNR advisor and fellow Utica alumnus Bruce Brodsky. They all visited the radio station.

Naidamast said everyone enjoyed reconnecting and sitting down with WPNR’s Chief Operating Officer Doug Croft, noting the studio has changed “a little bit” since they were at the helm. Today there are no back walls filled with vinyl albums, but instead technology is center stage. 

It was a contrast to the station’s electric current in the early 70s that had “less power than your average lightbulb,” according to Stein, and listeners were lucky if they could hear broadcasts in North and South halls. During WEDJ’s early days, the station’s signal barely reached outside of Strebel Student Center because it was an AM station using carrier current transmission. 

“We were just hoping the college was paying attention to the radio station,” Naidamast said. “You wouldn’t think a lot of people were listening. We would ask for someone to call and let us know you’re there. No one called, but when we signed off, oh my god the fury. People were really upset.”

Everyone remembered the planning that went into converting WEDJ into an FM radio station, ultimately taking place in 1977 when the station was renamed WPNR. 

An abundance of work was needed to make the changes, according to Naidamast and Brodsky, especially since it involved applying for an FCC license. With the help of another former advisor Larry Baker, who was also director of public relations for Utica College, the group provided architectural drawings of the building and performed surveys of other FM stations. They also enlisted the help of Norm Bernstein, an engineer at WIBX-WIBQ, to help rewire the station and prepare the turntables. 

“We had no idea what we were getting into,” said Naidamast, explaining how they had to take an FCC exam in Syracuse and the technical components were challenging to them. 

Once the application was granted, Brodsky’s favorite memory became watching the radio antenna installation on top of Strebel Center. 

“I remember them installing the aluminum frame on the side of the building,” Brodsky said. “I will always remember that day – that was an interesting time.”

They experienced college radio in an era considered by many as the golden age of rock and roll. Occasional concerts took place on campus – including Pete Seeger in April 1974, which is one of Naidamast’s favorite memories. The station advisor had connections to Seegar and the college approved the concert. 

“We found someone who literally hand-cranked the tickets and we had to number them ourselves,” Naidamast said. “We dropped them off around town and here we are promoting this concert.”

As the industry has changed, WPNR continues to adapt with the times by offering a variety of programming and streaming athletic events, and winning awards. The station recently won a New York State Broadcasting Association Award and will be recognized at a ceremony this fall. 

deLaubell said the debut of Utica University’s football team in 2001 helped make the station glow and the football broadcast “has become one of the hallmark broadcasts of the school year.”  

“The fact is the station is now over 45 years old and in our day it was a pipe dream (that we watched) step by step to get to it,” deLaubell said. “Now it’s become a very successful college radio station.” 

Stein added: “Now they are streaming worldwide and it does your heart good to know that.”