Impact 89FM is celebrating 35 magical years on air this year, giving past and present student staff members an opportunity to reminisce about the unique and special experience of working for the station. While current student team members are thinking about steps to take the station into the future, alums are thinking about how the experiences at the station prepared them for life and career. 

Jim Tarlagdis, Class of 1989

Jim Tarladgis was part of the team that would ultimately broadcast for the first time as WDBM in 1989. He says the vision was to create something that would last, flourishing in the 1990s and growing into one of the earliest student-run radio stations to broadcast 24/7. In the 2000s, the station became the first to broadcast in HD Radio and has since garnered over 15 College Radio Station of the Year awards, continuing to adapt to modern ways of broadcasting and content production. 

By 1989, Tarladgis had moved up to station manager. But a year prior, he was working weekends at a mid-Michigan classic rock station while at the same time preparing for Impact Radio and taking classes as a full-time student.

“In my recollection, the first song played was ‘Capital Radio One’ by The Clash.  It was the culmination of a lot of work by a talented team of dedicated students, along with guidance from Gary Reid, who was the professional (MSU staff) general manager. Impact was a fantastic experience and, without question, the highlight of my time at MSU.”

Tarladgis says it all came together quickly. 

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 35 years … We were lucky to have passionate people in every department – from music, production, news, sports, promotion and management – who all worked very hard in a relatively short period of time to put it all together.”

He adds, “It became our fraternity, sorority, intramural sport, club and every extracurricular activity rolled into one! We seemingly majored in radio and spent all our spare time (and most of our study time) focusing on every detail of every aspect of each department.  We wanted to create something special, something that we hoped would have an impact for years to come.”

Using this time to reminisce about his own experience, Tarlagdis is also proud of those who’ve carried the baton. 
“As proud as I am of what we accomplished, I’m even more proud of those who followed, as they collectively have lifted this station to heights that we never imagined.  As someone that takes great pride in being part of the team that helped give birth to this radio station, I’d like to thank all those who have continued to keep the torch burning brightly. Impact Radio, Happy 35th! It looks good on you!” 

William Spurrier, Class of 2019

One of those people who have carried the torch is William Spurrier, who joined Impact’s video team in the fall of 2015 as a volunteer. He would eventually make the air before graduating in 2019. 

“In fact, I connected with the station at [orientation], so I was with them practically my entire time at MSU. In January 2018, I was promoted to video director and oversaw the team until I graduated in May 2019. I started on-air doing noon shifts on Sundays before moving into late afternoons to do the Top Five at Five giveaway.”

While it’s been only five years since he left campus, Spurrier already knows one of the things he relishes most about his college career was his activity with the radio station. 

“[I miss] so much! I cherish all of my Impact homies who I’m still in touch with and miss so many more. I miss staying up late in the studio with [weekly specialty shows] Pity Party and Torch & Twang. Every in-studio session was a blast, especially Tigers Jaw – we were starstruck!” 

Being a part of Impact can mean a number of things. From representing the station and deejaying at campus events to building content and managing in-house marketing, students can get exposure to promotions, community relations and engineering, and so much more.

“Of course, I miss getting to the gig every weekend: Mac’s Bar, The Loft, Bingle Mansion, Bled Fest. There was always something to look forward to every week, and I’m still blown away that we got to fly out to Austin to cover SXSW,” he says, appreciative of the experiences he received. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to try new things and, importantly, to make plenty of mistakes. We all took our jobs pretty seriously because it was the real deal.

Having been through it all, I learned to think on my feet, prioritize and, most noticeably to me, move with confidence.” 

As he continues his career, Spurrier still keeps an eye and, well, ears on the station. He’s happy the current students continue to adapt – making not only the station better, but also the team members as professionals. 

“I was really happy to see recently that the Impact has started to dabble in live-streaming in-studio performances from The Basement, which is something we began to brainstorm in my last semester. Those in-studio sessions are such valuable documents of the Lansing music scene. The station itself is also looking cooler than ever, from what I’ve seen on Instagram. They seem very in touch with the modern media landscape, and I have no doubt they’ll continue to invest in the right stuff.

“With artificial intelligence beginning to upend the entire industry, outlets like the Impact have never been more important – it has such a distinct human touch that will always be in demand. I hope they continue to be a platform for talented people to connect and entertain.”

Delaney Rogers, Class of 2024 and Impact’s First Graduate Assistant 

Delany Rogers was the Impact’s latest station manager. Like many before her, Delaney’s connection to the station was quick and has now lasted years, even despite a pandemic. 

“I was Impact’s station manager since 2022! Beginning in August, I will be their first graduate assistant. I have been with Impact for four years, joining in September of 2020, when meetings were held over Zoom!”

Yet Delaney understands everyone’s experience with the station is different. What is consistent is that those experiences have been something each past and present student team member has appreciated for exactly what Spurrier mentioned above – the fun times, but also the exposure and opportunities to grow.

“Coming to MSU amid a pandemic inevitably brought its challenges, but Impact genuinely made everything feel less anxiety-inducing. If it weren’t for Impact, I think my experience at this university would have been drastically different. From attending virtual volunteer meetings my first month of college to finishing undergrad, Impact has been a part of my life every step of the way. This radio station has not only enhanced my leadership experiences but my friendships. I have had the absolute privilege to meet my best friends because of this radio station.

“Impact has also allowed me to grow into myself as a leader, a journalist and a person – I have found myself feeling the happiest I ever have since I joined. Impact is entirely student run, and while we have our fun, we also still display so much professionalism and get to be a part of bigger real-world experiences. My time at Michigan State has been better than I could have ever imagined because of Impact, and for that I forever thankful.”
Having the ability to be a part of the team for the 35th celebration has allowed Delaney the perspective to see what the station means to people who came well before her. 

“It’s evident how much this place means to people. It feels very special to be a part of something bigger, like Impact. I have been making poster boards of archival material for the 35th year celebration, and it’s been very cool to see the evolution through things like logos and the music that was in rotation.” 
Rogers sees the connection in creativity through today. 

“For years, there has been so much character and creativity within the content that comes out of Impact, and that creativity continues today. I’m honored to be able to work at such an amazing place. It truly is the most rewarding atmosphere of which I could have been a part.” 

Continuing to be part of the team, Rogers intends to use her understanding of the station’s evolution to guide where the station goes from here.

“While everyone who is a part of the radio station has a shared love for music, every year there are new groups of people who bring something new to the station. Although it’s been just four years [since I joined], I’ve had the privilege of getting to see the station grow in numerous ways, from the music we play to how the station is structured. 

“I have full confidence that the station will continue to expand and grow. It already has! There has always been a very unique atmosphere at Impact 89FM that is full of people who truly LOVE what they do – people who love the station. I have no doubt that people will continue to find creative outlets and community within Impact for years and years to come. There are 35-plus years of history to prove that.”

Check out everything Impact Radio has to offer at impact89fm.org, or tune in at WDBM 88.9FM.

Happy 35th, Impact Radio!