If you’re in the mood to groove, tune into 88.3 FM, Iowa’s only jazz station. Located on the second floor of Linn Hall at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, is the home for DJs and staff members who work year-round at the station.
Dennis Green, general manager since 1999, illuminates the student and community involvement that KCCK operates. “My favorite part is all the things we do in the community,” Green said while highlighting the many activities and learning experiences involved.
Green also touched on how the station is always looking for student interns during the academic year and through the summer. “People who come here tend to stay,” he said while discussing how interns are involved at the station during the year.
Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection allows enrolled students to earn credits after the completion of their KCCK internship. The station not only provides hands-on experience for students who are looking to go into broadcasting, but the staff are able to help as well.
Some of the DJs and staff members have been there for decades. George Dorman, news director has been employed with KCCK since the ‘70s. Other DJs include Ron Adtkins, Hollis Monroe and Bob Stewart. Green said they are not currently looking to hire more DJs, but are always looking to assist students in their future careers.
During the school year, KCCK holds events for local high schools in the Eastern Iowa area. One event in January-March includes the Corridor Jazz Project, where area high schools go through a recording process with guest artists. Students also have the chance to be guest DJs on KCCK. Participating high schools include Prairie, CR Washington, Jefferson, Clear Creek Amana, Linn-Mar and several others.
Each jazz band member receives a copy of their studio recording with the guest artist and performs a concert at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids
Liz is a graduating second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also has previously worked at 88.3 Jazz KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. In the fall, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist/Reporter at a station in Iowa.
Categories: Feature
