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MICHAEL BABIN/ THE SETONIAN – WSOU General Manager Mark Maben helps junior and disk jockey TJ Johnson Wednesday afternoon. This is the first year for the station to have a full-time general manager. | Mark Maben joined WSOU FM, Seton Hall’s Pirate Radio, as the station’s new full-time manager this semester. Maben replaced Professor Michael Collazo as the station’s first full-time manager in its history.
For the past 12 weeks, Maben has sought to strengthen the station, which boasts one of the largest listening audiences for a student-run station.
“The students, managers and I will continue to work together to make WSOU sound as good as possible,” Maben said.
Maben credits the work to his “sharp student management team and great group of students.”
“Our Program Director Dan Rodriguez has been working with our DJs to tighten up their breaks. Under News Director Mary Kate Cusack’s direction, our newscasters are sounding better than ever,” said Maben.
A major goal of Maben has been increased promotion of events happening on campus, including a weekly news program which is currently being developed to focus on Seton Hall and its surrounding community.
The station will also hold a benefit holiday concert, “WSOU’s (Not So) Silent Night, “which reflects our increased commitment to incorporating the values of servant leadership,” Maben said.
One thing that hasn’t changed, Maben said, is the music format of the station and the purpose of the program.
“WSOU continues to program modern eclectic rock, offering a mix of the best of emo, punk, alternative and indie music, while giving all Seton Hall students the opportunity to learn and grow personally and professionally,” Maben said.
Station manager Rachael Draudt said:“We want to sound great, attract listeners, and learn the most we can,” she said. “Mark Maben has only been with us for a few weeks, and he is already taking the reins and working on improving every aspect of our station.”
Maben joins the station as WSOU’s first full-time manager. Rodriguez expressed confidence in the position.
“While Mr. Collazo will be missed as he was beloved by students, Mr. Maben will be a more accessible aid simply by the restructuring of his responsibilities and the fact that he is a full-time manager,” he said.
Maben said the position has worked out well.
“I feel the students like having a full-time manager. It helps them do their jobs better by having someone at the station all the time that they can ask questions, run ideas by and problem-solve with. The daily interaction with students is the best part of the job,” Maben said.
Maben brings experience to station both through his radio work and employment at educational institutions.
Prior to working at Seton Hall, Maben worked at Rutgers University as an associate director of strategic communications.
He first worked in radio, beginning in 1985, working at National Public Radio in upstate New York. He also helped create and run WDIY-FM in Bethlehem, Penn., which until 1995 was the largest market in the United States without a local public radio station.
“It is fair to say that I’ve worn just about every hat there is to wear in radio,” Maben said.
Maben said working at WSOU allows him to combine his passion for radio with his passion for higher education.
“I am fortunate, because becoming WSOU’s general manager is a dream-come-true,” Maben explained. “I get to return to radio while still working within the realm of education.”
Rodriguez and Maben expressed optimism for the year at WSOU.
“WSOU will be improving the overall sound of the station and better developing its relationship with the Seton Hall and South Orange communities with the help of Mark Maben,” program director Dan Rodriguez said.
Added Maben: “My first 12 weeks at Seton Hall and WSOU have been simply terrific. I am impressed by the caring community that I have found at the university. I appreciate daily the student staff of WSOU. They have made my transition an easy one, and they are the reason this station is successful and ready to achieve new accomplishments.”
Bridget Murphy may be reached at murphyba@shu.edu.
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