WHCM 88.3FM is a community college radio station serving the Palatine Illinois area. We have a diverse membership with students and staff of all backgrounds. It’s a part of what makes us Radio Done Differently!
Management
Blue Bailey
General Manager, Host
I’m Blue, the host of Maladaptive Daydreaming. I’m a creative who will eventually end up as a techie at some theater. Arts have been a huge part of my life and here at Harper I’m able to explore that. I have a hand in many arts related subjects. Photography, writing, drawing, etc… On my show I find songs for other creatives and each week I have a theme or genre to help you get inspired! I compile them all into a playlist that I currently have on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7KJ8x8dRgwmV6LxzZ4Kttp?si=17tDvFg0Ryq5Z6AE9KAVEw&pi=u-k3bzA8g8RJWX
Every Monday at 11am-12pm, come join for new music!
Zoe Meshenberg
Program Director, Host
A fan of radio since childhood, Zoe is a graduate from the University of La Verne and a current Harper student. Originally on the air with Y2K Today (a 2000s music and trivia delight), Zoe now gets to put a spotlight on the communities of Harper College through her show Harper Highlights.
You can listen to her talk show, Harper Highlights every Saturday at 4PM.
Brian Shelton
Faculty Advisor, Host
Brian and Leni Shelton are a father and daughter duo who produce Crackling Vinyl from their home since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Crackling Vinyl features music from record store bargain bins, yard sales, libraries and basement finds. The selection is eclectic and rarely in great condition. Leni Shelton is currently in fourth grade and loves music from all eras and really enjoys popping by the record store to pick out vinyl within her budget. Brian Shelton is the advisor for WHCM and Assistant Professor of Communication Arts at Harper College. He keeps his record collection small so that it will all fit in his future VanLife home.
Marie Lapidus
Assistant Faculty Advisor, Host
Marie Lapidus started her radio show career by being a guest on one of Brian Shelton’s shows of the past when his real guest did not show up. That spurred the idea for Business as Usual, a show where Marie, assistant professor of Business and Entrepreneurship at Harper, interviews local entrepreneurs, career and technology program faculty and students and covers all the IDEAShop, our Makerspace and Entrepreneurship Center, news and achievements. But that was not enough, so Marie decided to share her love of the world with the Palatine community by bringing music from other countries to the show Global Tunes. Once the pandemic started, and access to the radio station was limited, the collaboration with Jeff Waters of Dexter’s Radio Hour began as Marie needed help, and now Global Tunes with Jeff and Marie adorns the airwaves with lots of travel stories and history of the places we all wish we could escape to.
Chris Smith
Social Media Director, Host
Chris Smith is our undaunted master of all things social media. If Chris trips across an artist she wants to learn more about it will probably be the subject of the next show. With a passion for streaming media, she hosts Streaming Verse with Nina Stoner at 7PM on Thursdays and repeats at 5PM on Mondays.
Erik Hanson
Practicum Instructor, Host
Born the seventh son of a seventh son, and raised by the Barclords, Erik was anointed 12th degree “Rock & Roll Specialist” by Nanker Pheldge. Under the guidance of the Barclore, Erik produces The Local Music Show on Harper Radio, featuring the best artists and bands from Chicago and the Northwest Suburbs. Occasionally you can find him deep below Beethoven Strasse combing through the Knackelflerg vaults to bring you Basement Records, the all-vinyl record show on Harper Radio.*
*Composite built of rock & roll lore 1955 – present. If you know the references, you’ll love the shows.
WHCM Hosts
Andy Hood
Host
Andy is a DJ living in Hoffman Estates IL—and a new student at Harper. Andy is returning to school after getting his BFA in Philadelphia. His show, “In The Groove” features an eclectic mix of genres and mood. Catch him every Thursday night at 8pm for some late night tunes.
Angel Lopez
Host
My name is Angel Lopez and I host the show Angel’s Mood (Mondays from 1-2pm). I am entering my second year here at Harper studying Marketing and English. I tend to play a lot of jazz but you may catch me playing music outside of that from time to time
Ben Dojutrek
Host
After spending way too much time listen to music, from his first orange iPod nano to the dusty vinyl that takes up way too much space in his bedroom, Ben Dojutrek finally fulfills his destiny and becomes a radio DJ.
In all seriousness, I’ve returned to higher education to get a certificate in audio and visual production while slinging music from 10 to 11 am, every Wednesday, on Face for Radio. Tune in for songs you won’t hear anyone else and my ramblings on why nothing beats a turntable or the greatness of the Traveling Wilburys.
Brian Diaz
Host
Having lived most of his life in Barrington, Illinois, Brian is an avid watcher and a fan of League esports. Listening to music is one of his favorite ways of relaxing, doing homework, or playing video games. Check out his show The Dive with Brian D., where he plays some of the music he enjoys.
Jack Runyan
Host
Jack is a guitar, bass, and drum teacher by trade. He hosts the aptly named Musician’s Corner show, airing every Tuesday at 2PM on Harper Radio. The show typically features the evolution over time of a genre that he is passionate about. In addition to the instruments he teaches, Jack has had experience playing classical piano and clarinet, and even experimenting with analog synthesizers and samplers. This has led him to an interest in many different areas of music, always absorbed in the production process and the players behind the scenes. Tune in to Musician’s Corner for a curated ride through various cultural staples and less mainstream sounds.
Kris Pipenberg
Host
Harper College English department faculty since 1995 and a Harper/WHCM alumnus, Kris Piepenburg hosts All Over the Map from 7 to 9 PM on Friday nights. Kris strives for two-hour programs that include a wide range of artists and styles, reflecting his lifelong interest in popular, obscure, and experimental music of all genres.
Mike Prendergast
Host
Host of The Ascending Jukebox. A show that explores musicians Past,
Present & Undiscovered. We launch every Wednesday at 5:00PM on
88.3, WHCM.
Mike has attended over 900+ concerts and may need an intervention.
Raised on a Wurlitzer Jukebox that his parents owned, his love and
passion for music, stems from that.
Nina Stoner
Host
Nina is a massive fangirl! She loves consuming media and immersing herself in a diverse selection of TV shows, movies, and music. She is so thrilled to be back at Harper Radio for more fun! Hear her no filter opinions every Thursday with Chris Smith on Streaming Verse at 7 PM here on WHCM! Winner of the 2023 Intercollegiate Broadcast System “Best Talk Show”!
Nora Soulje
Host
Hello! I’m Nora Soulje, and I host “What’s The Word?” My show focuses on language, more specifically, words and the ideas/feelings behind them. As an English enthusiast, there’s nothing I enjoy more than picking up a good book, unearthing its unique perspectives, discovering new terms/phrases, and incorporating them into my everyday life – which is why I centered my show around vocabulary! I also like to explore topics of philosophy, self-discovery, and mental-health that coincide with my word of the hour. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without music! So please join me as we rock out to various artists, explore endless linguistic possibilities, and shed light on the many ideologies of today!
Robbin Llamas
Host
Hello! My name is Robbin and I host “Double BBeats” on Fridays at 3-4! I tend to share the songs I favor or want others to hear on my social media platforms, in addition to exploring the music preferences of my close friends! I cannot categorize my genres in a way that doesn’t overlap as it is rather fluid. I am a big music enthusiast, making it a priority to indulge in types of music that makes me feel great and lets me appreciate the art within. Going into the field of Art, sharing my musical interests with others introduces me to a whole new world of discovering the depths of music and how it has manages to impact people. I am very excited to share all the songs I have Shazammed, as well as the ones that have connected with my story throughout my existence!
Yari Lopez
Host
Hi, Hola! my name is Yari, and I’m with LA Y MEX RADIO. You can catch my
show every Tuesday from 2–3 pm.
I enjoy listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with my family
and friends. Being on the radio is something I truly love! On my show, I share
interesting facts, talk about what I learn in class, and bring fun activities for
listeners.
It’s a bilingual program in Spanish and English, with a mix of music, news,
word of the day, sports commentary, and engaging conversations. Join
me to learn, enjoy, and stay connected!
Jason Mayschak
Host
An aspiring author, music producer, and comedy enthusiast, Jason spends much of his time inhaling and exhaling creativity. Combined interests in music, broadcasting and storytelling led him to join Radio. Mayschak’s show, STAMP (soundtracks, themes, and movie playlists) blends his interests in music and storytelling.
Kira Orgil
Host
Kira is a Harper student pursuing a Marketing/Business Major. She is passionate about many things and is a curious soul trying to navigate her life with open heart and curiosity.
She loves learning new skills, new experiences, and new topics to talk about and explore!
Her show “Kira’s Delivery Service” will be streaming on Harper Radio, every Monday from 3pm-4pm. So if you want to catch her show to listen to what she is listening to daily, what music she’s discovered lately, and listen to what she has on her mind and topics to explore your minds with, stay tuned on Kira’s Delivery Service – Delivering Music to Harper and Beyond!
Production Staff
Caroline Jaris
Production Staff
Caroline is the board operator for the show ‘Streaming Verse’! Tune in to Streaming Verse to hear Chris and Nina talk all things media Thursdays at 7 PM on WHCM!
Our Alumni Shows
WHCM is proud to welcome back its members after years of being away from the board. Here’s a few of our current Alumni shows:
Carsen Star
Host
As a guy born with a face for radio, Carsen is quite possibly older than dirt and has the grey hair and the dusty record collection to prove it. While his musical interests have been influenced by live, in-person performances from artists ranging from Andrea Bocelli to ZZ Ward, he gets his mojo primarily from what was playing on FM radio in the ‘70s and ‘80s. An occasional headbanger, Star may also dip into his collection to share a track or two from his time spent in Alternative radio, Top-40, and Album Oriented Rock.
Jeff Waters
Honored Host
Jeff Waters was a long-time host at WHCM known for creating shows such as Global Tunes and Dexter’s Radio Hour, who passed away in 2022. He was a friend to many, father to Ian, Jessica, Brian, and Fiona and husband to Evelyn. He was known to speak lovingly on the air of those who meant the most to him. Thanks to the many hours of unique, engaging content that he created, Harper Radio is pleased to air repeats Jeff’s program “Dexter’s Radio Hour” on Mondays and Fridays at 6PM and “Global Tunes” Fridays and Sundays at 3PM. Jeff was incredibly supportive of the radio hosts at WHCM, regularly offering kudos and words of encouragement to those who were learning this craft. To learn more about Jeff’s life please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/des-plaines-il/jeffrey-waters-10930196
Jon Decatorsmith
Host
DJ Jon is a long-time community member and the host of The Short Man’s Room, a
free-form weekly broadcast of spooky head music that has been on the air since 2005
and heard on WHCM since 2018. The program currently airs live on Fridays at 10 am,
and old show replays from the archives can be heard during the overnight hours.
Courageous listeners can expect healthy doses of psychedelia, improvised jams,
electronic trances, dark melancholy songwriting, and apolitical commentary (but not too
much).
Matt Byrne
Former Program Director and Current Host
A longtime listener turned General Manager, Matt hails from the far off land of Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Graduate of Columbia College Chicago 2022 with a major in Comedy Writing and Performance and a minor in Voiceover. From his experience in Improv, a love of obscure music and his overall inability to stop talking comes a passionate love for radio.
You can listen to his IBS Award Finalist show, The B-Side every Thursday at 12PM, and repeats on Saturday at 6PM.
Former Members
WHCM and Harper College is proud to be the starting point for future broadcasters. Here are our former staff members who used their experience at our station to pursue their career in broadcast.
Brandon Saam
Former Host
Brandon Saam returns for cour 2 of “Brandon Saam On Air”! A dedicated actor and radio host, the charismatic Brandon Saam explores a new style, era, or genre of music every single week. All about good vibes and good attitude, he makes sure to end each show off with a powerful inspirational message. He is a current student at Harper and aspires to pursue a career as a passionate actor in film. With the combination of his sharpened performing skills and boundless energy, Brandon is ready to captivate audiences in the realm of radio broadcasting! Brandon wishes you a wonderful listening experience and encourages you to attend his stage and screen productions.
Where are they now? Brandon continues to use his broadcasting skills at Illinois State University’s WZND 103.3. Catch him on the air here: https://wznd.com/shows/brandon-2/
Erica Berger
Former General Manager & Host
My name is Erica Berger I am a broadcasting major. I started getting into broadcasting when I was in junior high because we had our own news studio in the media lab so I would go early in the morning everyday to do daily announcements. I love being a broadcaster because I get to share facts and share creative ideas. My future goal is to be a full time broadcaster on TV one day.
Where Are They Now? Erica uses her skills learned at Harper College and as WHCM’s General Manager as an Promotion Assistant for 101.9 The Mix in Chicago!
Matthew Candre
Former Host
Hello everyone! My name is Matthew “MC” Candre, and I am your Friday Morning DJ! I am an alumnus of Harper College and am also the host of a program that I like to call, “TurnTable Tunes”.
Where Are They Now? After Harper Radio, Matt went on to be an announcer at Wintrust Stadium for the Schaumburg Boomers!
Meliha Calisir
Former Public Service Director & Host
Hi! I am Meliha, I am an arts major with interest in animation here at Harper College. I was born and raised in Turkey, I came to USA four years ago in 2021. I love listening and making music, doing every kind of art, reading books and watching animated movies. If you want to hear some Turkish music, you can listen my show “A Taste of Turkey” on Wednesdays from 12pm to 1pm.
Where Are They Now? Meliha went on to study film and animation.
Viki Drzewiecka
Former General Manager, Former Host
Hey! My name’s Viki, and I host “Vick’s Music Picks of the Week”. Since I’m new to
the station, my show is learning and growing alongside me. The current definition of “Vick’s
Music Picks of the Week” is quite simple, I listen to music throughout the week, and then pick
my top song based on how my week is going/how I’m feeling. I may delve deeper into various
artists, or simply rave about a topic that’s been stuck in my head. My show plays every
Thursday, 1-2 p.m., on 88.3 FM, and I hope you’ll tune in!
Where are they now? Viki went on to study communications and marketing at the University of Illinois Chicago.
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