Presidential Radio
Zach Pearce
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Arts and Entertainment
For Stephen Ainlay, not much at Union College is a surprise anymore. After all, the eighteenth President of Union sits at Chester A. Arthur's desk, has an authentic painting of the Ramee Plan close by, while portraits of Moses Viney, William Seward, and Arthur adorn the walls of his office in Feigenbaum Hall. Seeped in the history of the Schenectady institution, President Ainlay has nearly the entire Encyclopedia of Union College memorized.
But on Monday, March 8, President Ainlay will set foot in a part of campus he has never been: the WRUC studio. WRUC-Radio Union College-has been a staple on campus since 1920 when it became the first radio station to broadcast in America. Soon, an already historic radio station will add another notch in its belt with the soon-to-be Disc Jockey Ainlay.
President Ainlay jumps at the proposition of being on the radio. His answer to my invitation, of course, is a resounding "yes." But the president will be more than making an appearance on the campus radio station, he will be at its helm. Ainley will play songs from the discography of Grammy Award winning record producer Chuck Ainlay, none other than the brother of our college president.
Chuck, who bears shoulder-length blonde hair, has worked with the likes of Dire Straits, Peter Frampton, and Eric Clapton, as a formative producer in Nashville, Tennessee. The idea of spinning the records on the radio brings a giddy smile to President Ainlay's face; the concept of playing his brother's songs nearly sends him into a fever pitch.
After "topping off" the new Wold Center and dining with members of the Sophomore Class, becoming a newly minted radio personality is next in line for President Ainley.
For the man inaugurated in 2006 as the face of Union College, Monday, March 8 can't come soon enough. While eagerly browsing his-and his brother's-music collection, President Ainlay waits for something even more exciting than playing music on the oldest radio station in America. For him, his adventure onto the air will certainly be one more story, one more anecdote, from a man who still simply can't get enough of Union history.
President Ainlay will appear on WRUC 89.7 FM on Monday Night at 8:00 p.m. Listen online at wruc.union.edu and find more information about his Grammy Award winning brother, Chuck, at chuckainlay.com.
But on Monday, March 8, President Ainlay will set foot in a part of campus he has never been: the WRUC studio. WRUC-Radio Union College-has been a staple on campus since 1920 when it became the first radio station to broadcast in America. Soon, an already historic radio station will add another notch in its belt with the soon-to-be Disc Jockey Ainlay.
President Ainlay jumps at the proposition of being on the radio. His answer to my invitation, of course, is a resounding "yes." But the president will be more than making an appearance on the campus radio station, he will be at its helm. Ainley will play songs from the discography of Grammy Award winning record producer Chuck Ainlay, none other than the brother of our college president.
Chuck, who bears shoulder-length blonde hair, has worked with the likes of Dire Straits, Peter Frampton, and Eric Clapton, as a formative producer in Nashville, Tennessee. The idea of spinning the records on the radio brings a giddy smile to President Ainlay's face; the concept of playing his brother's songs nearly sends him into a fever pitch.
After "topping off" the new Wold Center and dining with members of the Sophomore Class, becoming a newly minted radio personality is next in line for President Ainley.
For the man inaugurated in 2006 as the face of Union College, Monday, March 8 can't come soon enough. While eagerly browsing his-and his brother's-music collection, President Ainlay waits for something even more exciting than playing music on the oldest radio station in America. For him, his adventure onto the air will certainly be one more story, one more anecdote, from a man who still simply can't get enough of Union history.
President Ainlay will appear on WRUC 89.7 FM on Monday Night at 8:00 p.m. Listen online at wruc.union.edu and find more information about his Grammy Award winning brother, Chuck, at chuckainlay.com.
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