WAJC’s Reunion Tour Launch

It just feels right when a formal gathering of friends, peers, and mentors evolves into more of a family reunion than a general get together. Everyone doesn’t necessarily know everyone else, but at some point they have shared experiences: they waved the same flag, performed the same duties, learned from the same professor and can reflect upon it fondly.

My good friend and colleague, Ross Hollebon, reminded me recently that a central theme of the Star Wars franchise is “found family,” (yes, we shared “May the 4th Be With You” texts over the weekend) and that is the type of connections that were rekindled during that special evening on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Robertson Hall.       

Generally speaking, a found family refers to a group of unrelated people coming together to establish their own definition of a family unit or close-knit community. In what is now CCOM (many of the attendees graduated from “Radio & Television” and other degree names of the mass communication degree program) there is no more appropriate way to refer to the alumni who graduated after having found themselves during activities for Butler’s former FM radio station, 104.5 WAJC.

How do I know?  Easy, they fit the definition.  

The 120+ alumni and guests who attended this first reunion in over thirty years were (largely) not related, but they are the WAJC family. The number of hugs, laughs, jokes, and stories told when they arrived at Robertson Hall were as warm as the sound of the crackling vinyl albums they used to spin on live broadcasts. 

Since meeting Dave Arland ‘85, the first alum I encountered after joining Butler, it became a goal of mine to get this storied group of Bulldogs back together on campus. Dave educated me on the importance, as well as the somewhat challenging history, of WAJC over dinner in my first week on the job. There was passion, the affinity, and the care with which he and others held WAJC and its legendary faculty, including for a number of alumni, Mr. Jim Phillipe and Mrs. Ann Harper.  

The radio station, founded in the 1950s, was sold in the early 1990s, leaving many of the WAJC alumni stunned and upset after more than four decades of being part of the Butler DNA, especially for students studying areas of communication. 

The station helped launch so many notable careers in radio and television, that I wanted them to know that their work, and the legacy of their station, was not only too important to forget, but was also alive and well in CCOM today. With the help of Corey McPherrin ‘77, Chelsea Hennessey ‘12 MS ‘23, and the aforementioned Jedi Hollebon, we set out to welcome the WAJC community back to campus. We would show them they remain part of our foundation and still have a place in CCOM and at Butler. 

We sent a “Save the Date” and were blown away with the response. Numerous alumni with graduation years ranging from 1956 to 2015, RSVP’d “Yes.” Others that couldn’t make it emailed, called, posted on the WAJC Facebook group, or shared positive notes through friends that they couldn’t attend this time around but were thrilled to know it was happening. 

The 2024 WAJC Reunion

Notable moments from the evening as we honored these alumni and what they accomplished together, as found family, started with my welcome remarks explaining that “WAJC was experiential learning before experiential learning was even a thing.”

We honored two very special people by presenting them with inaugural awards named for key WAJC figures.

Norman “Norm” Wilkens WAJC Lifetime Achievement Award  

Named after a WAJC lifer whom we lost last summer, this award represents someone, who like Norm Wilkens ‘57, demonstrated tremendous work ethic and professional achievement, but similarly personified commitment to Butler and CCOM.  

Barry Hohlfelder ‘66 was recognized as the inaugural recipient of this award. What made this even more special is that Barry and Norm were indeed “found family.” He was unable to attend the reunion, so, accepting the award on Barry’s behalf was Norm Wilkens’ daughter, Lauren O’Brien. What made this even more cool—Lauren’s daughter, Norm’s granddaughter, will be a Bulldog this Fall!

James R. “Jim” Phillipe Service to CCOM Award  

Mr. Jim Phillippe came to Butler in 1946 to teach drama but ended up building a college and evolving a radio station. Some people know him from his work as public address announcer at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while others still hear his echoes off the walls of Hinkle where he announced basketball games for over 30 years. The people at this reunion, however, remember him as the manager of WAJC.  

The winner of this award was retiring professor, Scott “Mr. CCOM” Bridge ’82 MS ’91. I can confidently say that, like Jim Phillippe, CCOM would not be what it is without Scott, though his humility would force him to disagree. Like Jim as well, he is someone students never forget working with. Whether it is teaching broadcasting or journalism, advising students in all things academic, career, and personal, or giving countless tours to prospective students Scott has led a life of service to Butler and its students unparalleled by anyone. 

I was honored and privileged to recognize Mr. Wilkens, Mr. Phillippe, Barry and Scott, along with all of WAJC.

WAJC VIDEO HOMAGE

Then came the showstopper. That designation was reserved for an 8 minute video celebrating the memories and legacy of all things and all people WAJC related. The video, created by Corey McPherrin, was a tour de force, filled with reminiscences, pictures, and even music spun by the WAJC disc jockeys over the years. It was truly a labor of love about a labor he loved, and one everyone in the room adored. Whether it was smiles, tears, laughter, or general warmth, emotions were plucked like the strings of an acoustic guitar.

After the formal program, and a group photo of most of the attendees, the reception commenced with impersonations, stories, hugs and good feelings, even as the bar and food were packed up. These alumni created a special place within the buildings and on the airwaves when they forged 104.5FM as a destination on the radio dial. It’s also, as I pointed out that day, a legacy we continue through our work in podcasts and audio production.  

Moving forward, I want WAJC alumni to be an integral part in these efforts, helping not only to guide and shape its direction, but to share their experiences and passions with the students of today. That’s what reunions are about—reconnecting with the past, and connecting with the future. That day could not have been better if we tried and I hope the WAJC alumni are willing to adopt some more members into their found family.