By Samantha Berkhead
News Editor
It first took over the airwaves, then a web stream and podcasts.
Now, student DJs at WSBU-FM, 88.3 The Buzz, have another outlet for their work — the smartphone app.
Individuals with a smartphone who have downloaded the St. Bonaventure app will now be able to listen to the Buzz at the touch of a button anywhere they have an Internet connection.
Mark Inman, assistant director of print and electronic publications, worked with Straxis Technologies of Tulsa, Okla., to develop the app. Straxis created an app platform geared for colleges and universities that St. Bonaventure now uses.
“They offer live streaming of Web feeds, so adding the Buzz was a no-brainer,” he said. “I figured we have the best college radio station in the country, so why not do it?”
The app, which includes features geared toward both current and prospective students, first launched a few weeks ago.
Inman, ’08, ’10, said he’s seen positive feedback on Twitter about The Buzz streaming on the app, but actual data about how it has affected downloads won’t be available until the end of the month. He said he hopes the app will help cultivate interest among high school students who might not be able to visit campus, as well as keep current students updated.
“I think having the Buzz in as many places as possible can only be beneficial to prospective students,” he said. “They can get a feel of what’s going on campus, what types of music our station likes and the student radio personalities we have, particularly if they’re interested in going into broadcast of some kind. I think current students will enjoy the ability for their listeners to not have to be in front of a computer or stereo. I had a show as a student at 8 a.m. Sundays and I assure you I would have had more listeners had the Buzz been available on mobile devices at the time.”
Junior Bryan Clark, Buzz news director, said he feels nothing but excitement for his station being streamed on the app.
“I think the best thing about it is that it uses current technology while maintaining a sense of what the school is like,” he said. “It portrays an accurate picture of the atmosphere here. It’s just good to see the university embracing that kind of technology to promote itself and allow our station to be part of it.”
An Android owner himself, Clark said the app will help the Buzz increase its number of staffers as well as listeners.
“More and more high school students are getting smartphones,” he said. “I joined the radio station when I got here, but I probably would have known more about it if I’d listened to it before I got here from high school. With this app, it is possible for someone who’s thinking ‘I might want to be on radio’ to get an idea of what it’s like. If they become a staffer or join the board, they can hit the ground running.”
Clark said he thinks apps are a great way for the university to move into more advanced terrains of technology.
“I listen to books and I listen to ESPN Radio sometimes,” he said.
“Smartphones are very, very useful tools. It’s another form of exposure and it just reflects that we’re moving forward and promoting what our university is.”
To download the app, visit sbu.edu/app.
berkhesj10@bonaventure.edu
