10/24/57

From: 

            Alfred F. Wehren

            The News Bureau

            Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

            Troy, N.Y.  Tel.  AShley 2-3000 Ext. 273

            The mayors of Troy and Schenectady will participate Friday (Nov. 1) in ceremonies which will mark the opening of an educational frequency modulation radio station at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The station, to be operated by the students, will be called WRPI-FM.

            Mayors John J. Purcell of Troy  and Samuel S. Stratton of Schenectady will be speakers at the event.  Other speakers will include John F. Morse, vice president of the Institute; Thomas S. Murphy, general manager of WROW; and Richard Ames, student president of the station.

            Opening of the station was made possible when the Federal Communications Commission granted a construction license approximately six months ago , and the station WROW donated a transmitter to the college.  All other equipment was either purchasedb or made by the students.

            Ceremonies will get under way at 8 P.M. Friday at RPI's 15th. St. Lounge. In addition to the speakers, other guests will include news representatives, area business leaders, and revent alumni of the college.

            Te station will begin its broadcasting schedule during the ceremonies.  It is planned that WRPI-FM will be on the air from 6:40 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. Sunday through Friday.  It will not broadcast Saturdays.

            Ames says that programming will center around classical, semi-classical and "a little" popular music.  There will be houtly news casts and a daily sports program.  News will be covered by United Press wire service.