FAMU Radio Station Celebrated 50th Anniversary
Tallahassee's WANM-FM 90.5 marked five decades of broadcasting with an alumni reunion event.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in African-American
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Florida A&M University student-run radio station WANM-FM 90.5 recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The station hosted an alumni reunion at the university in Tallahassee to commemorate the milestone.
Why it matters
The station serves as a vital platform for students to gain experience in broadcast journalism within the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. Its longevity highlights a sustained commitment to fostering media talent at the university.
Established in 1976, the station operates 24 hours a day with a 16-mile broadcast range on the 90.5 FM frequency. It has previously earned a second-place ranking from the Princeton Review and received the Hearst Award in Broadcast Journalism.
The players
Xavier Higgs
He is one of the three founders of the radio station who helped establish its legacy in 1976.
Ken Darby
He is a founding member of the station who contributed to its inception at Florida A&M University.
Richard Ellis
He is one of the original founders of the radio station.
Florida A&M University
This is a prominent public historically black university located in Tallahassee.
The details
Staffed by degree-seeking students, the station provides a diverse mix of music, talk shows, and news programming. It operates year-round from the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication at Florida A&M University.
Timeline
The station was established in 1976.
The Princeton Review recognized the station in 2004.
An alumni reunion took place on October 1, 2026.
National College Radio Day was observed on October 2, 2026.
The station is invited to awards in February 2027.
Culture Shift
The anniversary celebration aligns with the annual observances of National College Radio Day. This milestone underscores how institutional media outlets maintain cultural relevance despite evolving digital landscapes.
Residents in Tallahassee can continue to tune into the 24-hour broadcast to hear student-led programming. The station remains a key resource for those interested in supporting local journalism and university-based media.
The takeaway
Supporting student-run media provides audiences with unique, locally-focused programming while training the next generation of journalists. Listeners can engage with the station to stay updated on university news and diverse talk segments.
What happens next
The station is scheduled to attend the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Media Awards in February 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural history in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tallahassee Democrat.
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