A Brief Look Back at KUMD

1956

The FCC licence applied for the call letters KUMD. 

Then, in a setting that would make underground radio enthusiasts proud, KUMD first broadcast through a small 100 watt AM transmitter in Washburn Hall’s basement mailroom. 

Initially the radio station was under the charge of the speech department, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities radio station handed down its used turntables and transistors.

1957

The 1957 radio club that launched KUMD

“This is KUMD, the University of Minnesota, Duluth Branch” is the first broadcast on a new transmitter. The station is on air 12-hours each day with a library of 200 records, and it can now be heard on both the upper and lower campuses. 

1958

The KUMD team operates a tape player in 1958 (Probably not a tape of Elvis Presley)

Station manager Bruce Elving admonishes, “There shall be no rock and roll, particularly of the Elvis Presley variety, played over KUMD.”

1962

KUMD moves its station from the lower campus to the new upper campus. 

1963 - 1965

From March 1963 through January 1965, KUMD is off the air due to transmitter troubles.

1969

In an about face, faculty advisor Barry Winters gives rock & roll the thumbs up, stating, “...progressive rock is an important part of today’s music scene. In some aspects it has the same role that Schoenberg did for classical music.”

1975

KUMD in 1974

UMD purchases a 100,000 watt transmitter for KUMD to expand its listening area.

1991

Current shows “Northland Mornings” and “Highway 61 Revisited” begin on KUMD.

1993

Records are replaced with compact discs. 

1999

KUMD offers 20-hours of programming each day.

2009

The Local, featuring Twin Ports musicians, added to KUMD’s lineup

2010

KUMD broadcasting 24-hours a day

2013

MTV-U chooses “The Basement” as part of its nationally televised “College Radio Countdown.” KUMD set its segment in an ice house in Fish Lake.

2016

 

Samuel Quackenbush, 2017 National Student Employee of the Year. Sam was the KUMD student assistant marketer

KUMD celebrates the 30th anniversary of “For the Birds” and the 25th anniversary of “Northland Mornings,” and “Highway 61 Revisited.” More than 130 students and community volunteers and 10 professional staff keep KUMD on the air.

2017

For the first time in its history, KUMD named one of its studios.

“John Bushey Highway 61 Revisited Studio” dedicated with station staff and volunteers, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, and several members of the media in attendance.

2020

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents votes in favor of a resolution to explore the sale of KUMD at its March, 2020 meeting.

2021

The sale of KUMD to WDSE (PBS 8) is final on December 1, 2021.