This past Thursday, Aug. 29, WPPJ General Manager Bie Teal announced on Facebook that Point Park’s student-run radio station was back on air.

The announcement came after the web streaming computer in the studio suffered a hardware failure, preventing students from broadcasting their shows both to campus and on WPPJ’s website.

“The problem was not hard to fix,” Dr. Tim Wilson, Assistant Vice President of Information Technology, said. “All we needed was to find another streaming device.” 

Professor David Fabilli, the advisor for WPPJ, said he was happy with the turnaround on the problem.

“We went from being considerably worried to being quite pleased in just a matter of days,” he said. “It was excellent work on the part of our IT team and the support from Dean Paylo. We couldn’t be happier with their quick and effective team response.”

WPPJ is one of the main student media platforms on Point Park’s campus and offers students the chance to get hands-on experience in multimedia from day one.

Freshman journalism major Jasmine Schulte said she chose to go to Point Park because it was recommended to her by her mentors after she expressed an interest in broadcast reporting.

“Obviously broadcast reporting is something I’m dead-set on, that’s what I want to study and that’s what I want to pursue,” Schulte said. “I knew I wanted to go to Point Park because it was close to my house but also because it had such a well-known journalism program.” 

Schulte also expressed a desire to work for WPPJ after learning that the university had a campus radio station.

“I am really excited to get to work at the radio station,” she said. “That was something I had never had the chance to do before, and it interests me.” 

When she learned the station was down due to technical difficulties, she knew the school would step in and help.

“If [the school’s] goal is to allow us to be successful, they need to be on top of every aspect of the station, especially on the technical side,” Schulte said. “That way we are able to broadcast our shows and our hard work.” 

Wilson and Fabilli also noted how valuable the radio station is to students and credited Fred Angiolieri, Senior Director of Media Services, with the quick solution.

“WPPJ is one of the main media outlets for students. It is very important.” Wilson said. “Mr. Fred Angiolieri worked to find a solution and then worked to bring the players together on the technical side to get the appliance up and running.”

“[He] researched, tested, ordered and installed a new industry-standard webcasting unit,” Fabilli said. “It will quadruple the capacity for same-time listening and provide better quality sound reception too.”

Schulte said she was happy to be part of a program that worked hard to help its students.

“That’s definitely part of the education I signed up for. I’m proud of our staff,” she said. 

Teal made no comment on the problems faced by WPPJ or the new equipment when contacted.