KRVS: Radio Voice of Southwestern: When College Radio Came to Lafayette
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In 1940, the Fine Arts building of the Southwestern Louisiana Institute (S.L.I.), Burke Hall, had an “ill-equipped radio facility” maintained by various speech departments (1). During this time, KVOL acted almost as a radio station for S.L.I. and broadcasted campus related activities (2). In 1959, S.L.I. President Joel L. Fletcher formed a student committee to establish an official campus radio station. The following year, S.L.I. was renamed the University of Southwestern Louisiana (U.S.L.) and a student election voted for a campus radio station. In 1963, the station finally went on air as KRVS (Radio Voice of Southwestern). KRVS’ earlier programs included opera, jazz, progressive rock, and broadcasts of U.S.L. sports events. Starting in 1973, CODOFIL (Council for the Development of French in Louisiana) provided funding for KRVS in exchange for the station to produce French speaking radio programs (3). The influence of the relationship between CODOFIL and KRVS can be seen in many of KRVS’ current shows including, Bonjour Louisiane, Zydeco Est Pas Sale, and Encore. In the early 2000s, Burke-Hawthorne Hall (formerly Burke Hall) was expanded, relocating KRVS from the front of the building to the addition where it is located today. KRVS is an unsung hero that has played an important part in the history of U.L., Lafayette, and national college radio. KRVS’ mission in providing quality radio programs for Acadiana as a non-profit, non-commercial radio station has more than stood the test of time. The station today is a part of a legacy whose airwaves, permeated with Cajun and Zydeco music to up and coming indie musicians, now reach listeners locally and globally. Footnotes:
1. Roy D. Murphy, “KRVS-FM,” November 10, 1971, Call Number: C 05 D, box 1, file 3, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022. 2. See also tour location “KVOL: Voice of Lafayette.” 3. Megan Constantin, interview by author, KRVS, February 16, 2022.
Files
KRVS Poster
An original KRVS poster from 1963 advertising a frequency of 88.3. | Source: Courtesy of Megan Constantin at KRVS.
Where KRVS Began
A picture of the original Burke Hall taken in the 1940s. | Source: Louisiana Digital Library
Burke Hall Plaque
Plaque outside Burke-Hawthorne Hall commemorating construction of Burke Hall as SLI's Fine Arts building in 1939. | Source: Photographed by Lindsey DeLaughter
1940 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map
Sanborn Map showing Burke Hall where SLI's radio equipment was located. | Source: Library of Congress
Early Radio Broadcasts Before KRVS
An article from the Daily Advertiser on November 19, 1940 about a SLI French Club broadcast over KVOL. | Source: “KVOL” Call Number: O 05 C, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
USL Students Vote for Radio Station
A flier from the 1960 student election in support of a USL campus radio station that would help in "building up the University school spirit." Note the call sign: KUSL. | Source: "KRVS-FM," Call Number: I 05 B, box 1, file 1, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
The Arrival of KRVS
An article from the Daily Advertiser on June 16, 1963 announcing the arrival KRVS and providing details on its formation. | Source: Newspapers.com
A Station to Call Their Own
A photo taken in the 1960s of KRVS student workers at a table with a banner for the station. | Source: KRVS Studio
Roy D. Murphy
USL Speech professor Roy D. Murphy and the USL Student Corporation lobbied hard for student management of KRVS into the 1970s. | Source: Daily Advertiser, May 11, 1965. Newspapers.com
KRVS Banner
Photo taken of KRVS banner in 1977. | Source: "KRVS-FM," Call Number: N 07 D, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
KRVS Student Workers
Photo of a KRVS student worker as a disc jockey in the studio with other students outside. | Source: "KRVS-FM," Call Number: N 07 D, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
KRVS Student Workers
Photo of KRVS disc jockey James Guillory in 1970. | Source: "KRVS-FM," Call Number: N 07 D, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
KRVS Student Workers
Photo taken of KRVS student worker with radio equipment in the 1970s. | Source: "KRVS-FM," Call Number: N 07 D, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
KRVS Student Workers
Photo taken of two KRVS student workers in the studio in 1971. | Source: "KRVS-FM," Call Number: N 07 D, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
KRVS and CODOFIL
An article from the Daily Advertiser on July 22, 1973 relating the start of a French news program at KRVS supported by CODOFIL. | Source: Newspapers.com
1982 KRVS Program
KRVS program from 1982 with schedule of daily programs. Note on the side of the schedule "America's only French public radio." | Source: “KRVS Program Guide,” February 1982, Call Number: I 05 B, box 1, University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, accessed February 15, 2022.
KRVS Today
Photo of the current location of KRVS in the addition of Burke-Hawthorne Hall. | Source: Photographed by Lindsey DeLaughter