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, 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.
Matthew Byrne
General Manager, Program Director, 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 obscured and forgotten 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.
Ricardo Garcia
Assistant Manager, 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!
Meliha Calisir
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 two 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.
Keith Maurice
Host
Keith Maurice Harris is an IBS 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
Erica Berger
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.
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
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.
Yaritza Lopez
Host
Hola! My name is Yare. This is my second year here @ Harper. I have a bilingual show in Spanish and English called LA Y ASMR RADIO SHOW W UNKNOWN & JORDAN. Live Wednesdays from 1-2 PM and replays Friday & Saturday from 5-6 PM. I am number eight out of nine brothers and sisters in total. I have two Huskies. Their names are Loba & Flash and a turtle named Blazed. My major is in Journalism and I hope one day to work for a Radio Station or a Television News Station. Thanks
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.
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”!
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
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.
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.
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.
Matthew Candre
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”
Naeem Guzman
Audio Production Assistant
My name is Naeem Guzman. I’ve had a special kind of history when it comes to music and radio. My parents, despite moving to the United States from Mexico, were big fans of classic rock bands such as Guns & Roses, Aerosmith, and others. As such, I grew up listening to some of their great music thanks to my parents always being tuned into stations that played them. If there’s one thing I’m hoping for during my time at Harper Radio, it’s the new songs I’ll be exposed to, and possibly introducing others to songs that could be just the right tune for them.
Brandon Saam
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.
Gerard Garay
Host
Introducing DubG, the dynamic new addition to Harper College Radio 88.3 WHCM! Hailing from Buffalo Grove, DubG has been setting the 1’s & 2’s ablaze since 2006. With an unwavering passion for music, this eclectic DJ’s beats transcend genres and borders, captivating listeners with an electrifying mix of sounds that’ll leave you grooving. From classic hits to underground gems, DubG’s playlist knows no bounds, spanning the globe from England to Japan. Tune in to 88.3 WHCM and let DubG take you on a sonic adventure where the only rule is: if it’s got a great beat, it’s in the mix!
Mike Sulka
Host
Mike hosts a weekly sports news show called “Sports with Big Mike” at 11 AM on Mondays. The show includes in depth talks about sports culture and business. Mike is a former “four sport” athlete who is in the works of getting a PhD in sports management at Harper College.
David J. Haffner
Host
David J. Haffner aka “Father David” returns to the airwaves after a too long hiatus since being a DJ for WLTL 88.3 in LaGrange, IL. A lover of music across it’s many-splendored spectrum, he has a special place in his heart for rock and metal. A graduate of Harper’s Welding Technology program, he is putting down the torch to put the needle down on some riff-heavy tracks on his show “Temple Of Metal”.
Nathan Meister
Host
My Name is Nathan Meister! I host House Party, a show where you can listen to upbeat jams to get your weekend started right. Songs include anything from the 60s to now in order to get your party for the weekend started.
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.
Angel Camacho
Host
My name is Angel. I’m majoring in Spanish and French. I’m also into anime, music and getting to know more about myself and others in my life. I choose to be happy even if it means sleeping all day doing zero homework done lol.
Vicki Drzewiecka
Host
Hey! My name’s Viki, and I host “Vick’s Music Picks of the Week”. I’m a freshman at Harper,
studying Liberal Arts (even though I’m highly indecisive about my career path). 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!
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!
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