Olivet Nazarene University celebrates Spark HD, its student-operated radio station, winning the Christian Music Broadcasters University (CMBU) “Station of the Year” for innovation, creativity and intentional ministry both on-air and within the community.
“Spark is well on their way to being the next generation of communicators…I am most impressed by the way [they] are developing partnerships,” says Mark Michaels, a judge in the CMBU award selection process. “You are more than a radio station. You are wrapping your arms around your listeners and serving your community.”
CMBU is a part of Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB), a global organization of industry professionals focused on increasing the awareness and influence of music-driven Christian radio. CMBU aims to support the next generation of broadcasters. The organization has expressed great hope in the future of broadcasting, citing Olivet as the “#1 university putting new talent out into the broadcasting industry.”
“The impact of the award is based on the students,” says Brian Utter, Executive Director of Olivet Media Group and Faculty Advisor for Spark HD. “I challenged our student station director, Ashley Owen ’24, and the station staff at Spark to create the format of the future and they were able to do just that.”
The University’s student station rebranded to Spark HD in 2018 and has since made significant changes to reach its audience. Through research, collaborative efforts with other campus groups and organizations around the community, and the decision to move to a more eclectic sound, Spark is making incredible strides to reach their listeners and potential audiences while also providing student radio staff with tangible learning opportunities to enhance their career paths.
To learn more about Spark HD and the ministry efforts of Shine.FM visit our website!