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!
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
A mix of music, trivia and local guests. If Chris trips across an artist she wants to learn more about it will probably be the subject of the next show.
Keith Maurice
Host
Keith Maurice Harris is an award-winning college radio personality. He is the host of The Keith Maurice Show. He plays the best variety of music to get you through your Monday Middays! Keith Maurice is the Midday King! Tune in Friday 10:00-12:00pm on WHCM 88.3 FM
Jeff Waters
Former Host
Jeff Waters was a long-time host at WHCM 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 the *best of* Jeff’s programs on Mondays and Fridays at 6PM. 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
My name is Jon Decatorsmith, and I am a non-student, non-staff DJ at WHCM with a weekly
show (airing every day at 12 am Chicago time) called The Short Man’s Room. I have been doing
weekly installments of the program since 2005, and have been broadcasting from Harper for a
couple of years now. My show is free-form radio, crossing and mixing most all genres, with an
emphasis on improvisational space jams and spooky melancholia. My favorite parts of doing
this are 1) the ability to play anything I want, within FCC rules and regulations; and 2) being a
part of this supportive community.
Erik Hanson
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.
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.
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.
Erica Berger
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.
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!
Yaritza Lopez
Host
Hi name is Y or Yare or Yari, short for Yaritza. You can call me however you want. This is my second year here at Harper and my first radio show with the college. I have like 9 brothers and sisters, two huskies and a turtle and love reading and watching movies! Tune in every Wednesday 1:00 PM-2:00pm @ 88.3FM Harper Radio, La Y ASMR Radio Show & Unknown
Ya tu sabe another day anotha dolla Subele Chicago!
Matthew Byrne
Program Director, Host
A longtime listener, turned program director for WHCM, I’ve lived in the area my entire life (That’s Rolling Meadows, baby!). I graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2022. There, I majored in Comedy Writing and Performance, with a minor in Voiceover. From my experience in Improv, my love of obscured and forgotten music, and my overall inability to stop talking, comes my passionate love for radio!
You can listen to my show, The B-Side every Thursday, live at noon, and repeats on Saturday at 6PM.
Ricardo Garcia
Host
Ricardo is a Harper student born and raised in Guatemala. He is known amongst his friends and family for providing great music recommendations for any mood or setting. Check out his show “Richy’s Groove Machine” every Friday at 5:00pm!
Kris Piepenburg
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.
Jarrett Di Fatta (aka JD)
Host
After a 30 plus year hiatus, I am back to where it all started, WHCM Harper Radio. During the early 90’s, I hosted a weekly show. In addition to being on-air, I held the positions of news director, assistant program director and program director.
I was born and raised in Palatine and now live in Round Lake. I am married and share four children with my wife, Elisa. I have been in marketing for over twenty years and currently working as a consultant.
Joel Berger
Host
I am an alumni of Harper College, where I was a DJ from 1988 to 1991 and Station Manager from 1990 to 1991. I am married with 3 kids, one of whom is now my boss, lol. I currently work for AT&T as a service rep and I also sing in my choir, the main bass.
Gwendale Porter
Host
Hi, My name is Gwendale Porter, but I have a nickname you guys can call me Gwen. I love dogs, and cats are starting to grow on me. I love to play basketball and soccer with friends and hang out with many people. It makes me smile and try to make people laugh.
Margaret K
Host
Hi! I’m Margaret, and I’m a sophomore here at Harper College. I enjoy reading in my spare time, and I like snowmobiling in the winter. I’m also a huge Taylor Swift fan.
Sofia Moritz
Host
Hi! I’m Sofia Moritz, the host of “Shut Up and Listen”. Every Thursday from 10am to 11am, it’s time to close your mouths and open your ear holes to a variety of tunes such as 80s rock, 2000s pop, 40s jazz, and whatever other music I feel like playing
Shea Leonard
Host
My name is Shea Leonard and I’m a Harper student. I love having the opportunity to learn more about the music and the bands I love, and share that music with other people. I’m a big Bowie fan and a lover of all things outer space. Broadcasting is a small way to make someone’s day, even if you don’t know them.
Naila Syed
Host
As host of Science & Sensibility, where topics of science and social justice are discussed, I value learning about both the world as well as society. This lead me into being the Vice President of Asian Student Association and a host on WHCM. I have a never ending list of interests, including literature. I’m sure that the English nerds out there can tell I derived the name of my show from Jane Austin’s novel, Sense and Sensibility. I like to read and watch documentaries whenever I get the chance, but I’ll talk to you more about it on the show!
Aisha Hernandez
Host
As one of the hosts for Science and Sensibility ,I stress the importance of being properly informed about current events and new scientific discoveries. Some fun facts about me are that I love reading, learning about new things, and being sent funny memes. I hope that through this show, you can learn a little more about the world and take a step towards trying to make a difference.
Logan Ambrosio
Host
My name is Logan Ambrosio, I’m 21 and from Jacksonville Florida. I moved to Chicago in search of better education and career opportunities as well as the adventure of traveling to a new place. Some of my hobbies include travel, gardening and socializing. I am a very curious person at heart and really enjoy learning and talking to people about their different world experiences. I’m pursuing a degree in industrial engineering and I strive to have a positive influence on the world as a whole.
Jordan Bernal
Host
What’s up peps my name is Leslie but you can call me Jordan. Some of my favorite hobbies are reading, listening to music and hearing crime podcasts. Tune in every Wednesday 1:00 PM-2:00pm @ 88.3FM Harper Radio, La Y ASMR Radio Show & Unknown with Jordan.
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