Alumni Stories

In April 1968, Michigan Tech’s beloved "wiggle," WGGL 91.1 FM, began broadcasting from the upper floors of Sperr Hall. With just 10 watts of power, its signal barely reached beyond campus. For Stan Smart '69 (BS Business Administration), the station’s first student manager, those early days marked the beginning of a journey that would not only shape his college experience, but also his career. The story of WGGL began with a spark of inspiration from Joseph Kirkish, a dedicated professor in the humanities department and passionate advocate for the arts and media. Kirkish dreamed of a station that would not just entertain but also educate and connect the community. For students like Smart, this vision became a hands-on opportunity to build something meaningful.