College radio station CRNC the Heat is winding up the Fall term with a brand new way to Rock Around the Clock in 2020.
Hosted by students from the Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program, this year’s event will be a 12-hour Facebook Live on Friday, December 4, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The new format will take the place of the typical 24-hour radiothon held annually at the Welland Campus near the end of term, enabling the radio students to connect with their audience remotely.
The event will feature interactive games, contests, interviews with local bands and a special BRTF Meme Awards ceremony.
Nine students will take on roles as main hosts for the event and five production students will be working behind the scenes to run the stream.
Broadcasting professor Bruce Gilbert noted that while students have been on campus for labs, Rock Around the Clock is an event that would typically involve many people together in a small area, which would not be able to take place this year due to COVID-19, so they seized the opportunity to embrace social media.
“Social media is such a big part of the broadcasting industry; learning how to incorporate other tools can only help this group of students,” he said.
This year’s Rock Around the Clock will raise funds for the Niagara College Student Administrative Council’s Nourishing Minds program, which provides grocery gift cards to students in need.
“Our goal is to raise even more money for students in need. We just have a chance to do it on a totally different platform,” said Gilbert. “Even though the world looks a little different right now, the need is the same. Students are still hungry, and we want this to be a fun way to change that.”
NCSAC president TOm price noted that all funds raised will support the Nourishing Minds Fund, particularly the virtual grocery card initiative.
“This year has been an especially difficult year in regards to students facing food insecurity and the Nourishing Minds program has been essential in ensuring students’ academic and personal success,” said Price. “This year’s CRNC the Heat Rock Around the Clock fundraiser hosted by BRTF students is the embodiment of grassroots student advocacy. These BRTF students are an inspiration to their fellow students, the College and local communities.”
Those who watch the live stream are encouraged to donate money directly to the Nourishing Minds program at donate.niagaracollege.ca/ways-to-give
