Radio WJMF 88.7 The Beat of Bryant

WJMF (88.7 FM) is a radio station in Smithfield, Rhode Island. This station is run by Bryant University Students. The station has over 40 shows and well over 100 DJ's. It plays a variety of music ranging from alternative to talk to Top 40. It is also known for hosting local political debates, interviews with athletes, and having talk radio shows. They also broadcast for the Bryant University Division I athletic teams as well.WJMF originated at the Bryant College Providence, RI campus. The original frequency was 91.5 MHz. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Barry Fullerton and Bryant student/WJMF General Manager Stephen Boulter, WJMF entered the Bryant campus. The official constitution was drafted in 1972 and in November of 1973, the radio station began broadcasting out of the Bryant College Unistructure. The station was powered at 10 watts. The station began student run and to this day remains that way. Eventually, when the station applied to go from broadcasting from mono to stereo, the FCC forced the station to move its frequency down the dial to 88.7 MHz. In 1977, the station began broadcasting in stereo. On Thursday, May 14, 1981, the station began operating out of the MAC at 225 watts. President William T. O’Hara lit the blue neon sign that reads “WJMF 887” and the station was officially operating at its current capacity. 225 balloons were released in front of the MAC to signify the stations new wattage increase. The famous blue neon light that sits in the window of WJMF studios has been there since 1991. Not only is it a symbol of the stations location and on-air time, it’s a tribute to the memory of Michael T. Cain. Michael that was tragically killed at the cliff walks in Newport, R.I.. Michael was the WJMF general manager who oversaw the purchase of the neon sign. The “neon sign project” was completed after his death. An official “sign lighting” took place with the Cain family present. The blue neon sign will always be a sign that Michael’s memory lives on. Actually, WJMF broadcast in stereo prior to changing frequency. WJMF was located in the Unistructure until May 1981 and broadcast at 91.5 until that time. No blue neon sign was lit in 1981.