What happens when a global pandemic gets in the way of an annual all-night on-campus radiothon? Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film students from NC radio station CRNC The Heat tuned into a new way to host their end of term Rock Around the Clock fundraiser on December 4 by taking it to Facebook Live.
Broadcasting this year’s event through social media enabled students to continue their annual tradition in a safe, new way during the pandemic. By hosting the annual radiothon, students are able to enhance skills while supporting a cause close to their hearts; this year, they chose the Student Administrative Council’s Nourishing Minds program which provides grocery gift cards to students in need.
CRNC program director Katherine Ludwig noted that more than 600 viewers participated in the 12-hour live stream which featured interactive games, contests, interviews with local bands and a special BRTF Meme Awards ceremony.
“Rock Around the Clock went beautifully,” she said. “We were all nervous to do this fundraiser on Facebook Live because it hasn’t been done but we were also very excited to do something completely new for the fundraiser.”
Ludwig enjoyed when the new CRNC directors joined the event, featuring speed questions to get to know them. She noted that the Meme Awards hosted by students Richard Phillip and Daniel Friesen was also a favourite drawing the most viewers to the stream.
Katherine Ludwig hosts a game of Pictionary during the Rock Around the Clock livestream.
Friesen, also a program director at CRNC, said he valued the experience he gained through his involvement.
“It really put into perspective just how much work has to go into putting something like that together and the importance of teamwork,” he said.
This year, he noted, has been very different for CRNC overall as well as a unique challenge to Rock Around the Clock, and social media directors were up to the task of growing the station’s social media presence and diversifying content.
“Normally, we would have a number of students hosting specialty shows on the radio during the event, but we didn’t have specialty shows this year so we had to generate all the content ourselves. Plus it was visual content this time around,” said Friesen. “I think it was good to shake things up like that.”
Professor Bruce Gilbert applauded the students’ efforts.
“I think that given the complexities of planning and executing any event in 2020, the students should all be commended,” said Gilbert. “Given our focus on long-form talk programming in our BRTF curriculum, I think this was a good real-world example of that.”
Rock Around the Clock raised $360 for Nourishing Minds through a raffle and donations during the event. NCSAC president Tom Price thanked the students for their efforts.
“It just amazes me that the BRFT students devoted 12 hours for a live Rock Around the Clock fundraiser for the NCSAC Nourishing Minds Fund. On top of the continuous 12-hour fundraiser, they committed countless hours working behind the scenes to make this a reality, all the while studying for final exams, as well as finalizing assignments and presentations,” said Price. “The funds raised will go a long way to support student food security during these difficult and challenging times. Again these students are the epitome of the NC DNA and serve as an inspiration to their fellow classmates.”
Donate to Nourishing Minds
To donate to the NCSAC’s Nourishing Minds program, visit donate.niagaracollege.ca/ways-to-give.
About CRNC The Heat
CRNC is the campus radio station for Niagara College based at the Welland Campus. It is available for online listening from the CRNC 24 hours daily. During the regular academic terms, students produce and broadcast regular news updates, special events coverage, music and speciality programs.
