White House Welcomes Delegation of College Radio Students Led by William Paterson Professor Rob Quicke The students met with Obama administrators and discussed issues of importance to college students, including college affordability, student loans, and climate change Nick Gomez, a communication major at William Paterson William Paterson University and a delegation of students from nine other universities participating in College Radio Day this November 4 were invited to the White House on October 27. The students met with Obama administrators and discussed issues of importance to college students, including college affordability, student loans, and climate change. The group of 12 students met with Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. and discussed issues of college affordability and student loans. They also met with Press Secretary Josh Earnest to discuss his role and the importance of college media in today's society. Rob Quicke, associate professor of communication at William Paterson, organized the delegation of students, which included Nick Gomez, a communication major and program director at William Paterson’s WPSC 88.7 FM, and Risa Pappas, station manager. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to visit the White House and spend time interviewing high-level officials about topics of importance to college students,” said Gomez. Quick established College Radio Day at William Paterson’s WPSC 88.7 FM, which has become headquarters for the annual event. The aim of College Radio Day is to ask people to tune in to their local area college radio stations, support this unique programming, and underscore the importance and power of college radio to the universities and colleges they represent globally. During the last six years, College Radio Day has become an annual tradition on hundreds of college campuses across the country, and has attracted supporters such as Moby, Andrew WK, Coldplay and even President Obama. Since 2012, the event has become known internationally as World College Radio Day, with nearly 42 countries across around the world celebrating the occasion in their own cultures and languages. 10/29/16
