For two days during Appalachian State University Homecoming week, the voices of WASU's past returned to the airwaves, sharing memories, music and decades of broadcasting experience with the station's current generation of student broadcasters.
On October 8 and 9, WASU-FM hosted its annual Alumni Takeover, welcoming more than 20 former staff members back behind the microphone. Representing graduating classes from 1977 through 2023, alumni from nearly five decades of station history reunited with current students to celebrate the legacy of App State's student-run radio station.
The event featured a hybrid format, with Thursday dedicated to remote broadcasts and Friday bringing alumni back into the station for a full day of live, in-person programming.
Pictured Ed Crabtree, Will Vickers, Delana Vickers, Greg Tillman, Jon Austin, Tim O'Hara, Jay Phelps, Sheila Valentine, and Mark Wilkinson
Thursday's lineup included eight alumni broadcasting remotely from across the country. The day also marked a milestone for the event as two sports department alumni participated in The Sports Wrapp. It was the first time Alumni Takeover incorporated sports broadcasting alumni, creating new opportunities for former members of WASU's sports department to reconnect with the station and current students.
Friday transformed the station into a gathering place for generations of Mountaineer broadcasters. Fourteen alumni filled the studio throughout the day, taking turns hosting one-hour shows while current students operated the board and assisted with production. Together, they revisited favorite music, shared stories from their time at WASU and reflected on how broadcasting has evolved over the decades.
For many participants, Alumni Takeover is about more than returning to the airwaves. It is an opportunity to reconnect with the station community and support the next generation of student leaders.
"I look forward to returning each year for the WASU Alumni Takeover," said alumnus Will Vickers ‘87. "This was my tenth year participating and third year helping to organize the event with my wife, Delana. We enjoy meeting the new station staff each year and reconnecting with alumni from the various decades."
left to right, Dave Blanks (WASU FM Student Media Director & Advisor), Will Vickers '87, Delana Vickers '85, Dr. Shanshan Lou (CFAA Interim Dean)
Current students also benefit from the connections and conversations that happen throughout the event. By working alongside alumni in broadcasting and broadcast-adjacent fields, students gain insight into professional pathways that often began in the very same studio.
"WASU Alumni Takeover is one of the most valuable events we host each year," said Eddie Reel, station manager for WASU. "It gives our students the chance to learn directly from alumni who once sat in these same seats while also showing our alumni how the station continues to grow and evolve. The relationships built during this event are just as valuable as the broadcasts themselves."
Among those returning each year are Will and Delana Vickers, whose connection to the station spans more than four decades.
"WASU gave both of us hands-on leadership experience in a professional environment, and it's where we first met 43 years ago," said Delana Vickers ‘85. "We love coming back to support a program that prepares students so well for the real world, regardless of what career they eventually pursue."
Left rear, EMB major, Tristan Biesel, front right, WASU Alum, Nate Harper
Alumni Takeover has become a Homecoming tradition that highlights the lasting impact of student media experiences and the strong connections formed through college radio. The event allows former DJs, sports broadcasters and station leaders to reclaim the microphone for an hour while working alongside current students, creating a unique exchange of stories, experiences and institutional knowledge.
The 2026 lineup showcased the breadth of WASU's alumni network, featuring broadcasters from nearly every decade since the 1970s. Participants included industry veterans who helped shape the station during its early years alongside recent graduates who are just beginning their professional journeys.
In addition to celebrating the station's history, Alumni Takeover serves as one of WASU's annual fundraising initiatives. "Philanthropic support from our alumni contribute to ensuring future generations of students have access to the same experiential learning opportunities that have launched countless careers," said Dave Blanks, WASU Media Director and Advisor.
As the final show signed off Friday evening, the airwaves carried more than music and conversation. They reflected decades of friendships, mentorship and shared experiences that continue to connect generations of Mountaineers. For nearly half a century, WASU has been more than a radio station. It has been a place where students discover their passions, develop leadership skills and build relationships that last a lifetime.
left to right, Ed Crabtree, CFAA Interim Dean Dr. Shanshan Lou, and Tim O'Hara
About the Department of Communication
One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the communication industry and beyond. The department offers five majors – Advertising, Communication Studies, Electronic Media/Broadcasting, Digital Journalism, and Public Relations – and minors in Advertising, Communication and Cinematic Production. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government, and nonprofit organizations.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
WASU Takeover f26 thumbnail
WASU Takeover f26 thumbnail