The radio and television program at USI provides a combination of theory and practical hands-on experience to prepare students for a field which employs full-time more than a quarter of a million people in the United States alone.

"The Department of Communications is committed to preparing students for this growing and rapidly-changing field through the radio and television major," said Dr. Wayne Rinks, associate professor and program coordinator of radio and television.

WSWI, USI's on-campus radio station, serves Vanderburgh County and surrounding counties with a modern rock/alternative format on 820 khz, and on the Internet 52 weeks a year.

"WSWI offers USI students the opportunity to earn class credit while working as DJs, news reporters, or sports announcers," Rinks said. WSWI -- AM-820 -- broadcasts games of USI women's basketball, as well as USI soccer, baseball, and women's softball games. It also offers a variety of talk shows and student-run VIP interviewing programs.

USI's on-campus television lab provides students the opportunity to be involved in the writing, production, shooting, and editing of several regularly scheduled programs seen on Evansville's television stations. Radio and television students also are involved in Department of Communications efforts in distance education seen across the state of Indiana.

Students find part-time employment with local and area radio and television stations while enrolled in the USI program. Students also are encouraged to complete an internship during their senior year, thus getting the contacts and experience they will need upon graduation.

USI's radio and television major covers radio and television production and performance as well as writing courses, news reporting, broadcast and cable sales, sportscasting, programming, and management.

"Our goal is to produce a student who will possess strong entry-level job skills and the educational background to grow and prosper in the vital field of telecommunications," Rinks said.