It starts with the click of a button. Then a voice comes to life on the radio, commanding everyone’s attention.
The voice holds meaning and passion—forcing everyone to listen to what it has to say. The voice is Gordi’s and he wants to be heard.
The people who come to Keene State College’s Zorn Dining Commons during the week have encountered Gordi every time they eat there.
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Many students are familiar with Gordi who swipes students’ IDs before they enter the dining commons, but they have not seen him like this: as a host to his own radio show WKNH 91.3 on Thursday nights at 8 p.m.
“I see a couple thousand or more of the students every day,” Gordi said, “I get a chance to hear what they’re talking about or how they’re talking, or how some of their opinions and what’s going on and I just wanted to be able to put my two cents in.”
Gordi said that his talk show would allow him to talk about anything and everything.
“Just whatever comes into my brain,” Gordi said. “Anything I say are my own opinions–they’re my own thoughts,” he explained.
However, Gordi had to follow a process in order to air his opinions and thoughts. According to General Manager of WKNH, junior Tim Gagnon, the first step is to look at the handbook, which is found on wknh.org.
After that the person takes a test. According to Gagnon, the passing grade is an 80 percent or above.
Production Manager sophomore Sean McConnell said that after the test is passed, there is a form that is filled out to sign up for a time slot.
According to Gagnon, Gordi’s show is slightly different because it is a talk show. “We don’t really allow editorializing. That’s why Gordi’s show starts out with ‘these are my thoughts.’”
Before every show, Gordi must state that what he is talking about are his own thoughts and do not pertain to the radio show, WKNH, or anyone else, according to Gagnon.
According to McConnell, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determines what is allowed on the radio.
Then again, disk jockeys are encouraged to be themselves on air, according to Gagnon. “We like to let our DJs really show who they are personality wise,” Gagnon said.
He continued, “We try not to turn anyone away.”
Gagnon said that Gordi approached him with the idea of a radio show on his way into the dining commons. Since the radio station is open to everyone, Gagnon gave Gordi a shot.
“One day he just came up to me and said, ‘I want a radio show,’” Gagnon said. “We open up the opportunity to have a radio show to all students, professors, staff and local Keene residents,” Gagnon explained.
McConnell said, “We actually have a lot of community members come in and have radio shows.”
Gordi said that he will start each show off with questions and responses he receives from his email. Listeners can email him their questions and feedback at wknh.gordi@gmail.com. According to Gordi, his radio show will not be all talk.
“I will be picking music that will back up what I’m talking about, or are current with what I’m talking about,” Gordi said.
He continued, “I want things to be provocative—provocative as in provoke, which means to bring up thoughts.”
Gordi said he wants to stir up conversation about the topics he brings up so that people learn.
“I enjoy chatting with people and I enjoy making people think,” Gordi explained.
So far, Gordi has received a lot of support from the campus community, such as some of the students.
“Gordi just has an amazing personality. I think it’s just something that people can relate to,” McConnell said.
Gagnon agreed, “He has a very strong presence in the room and I’m hoping that same effect translates on the air. Freshman Olivia Schiaffo said, “I think he definitely has a radio personality and he can work it.”
And Gordi’s personality is one that has made a presence on-campus.
“Everyone loves Gordi. Gordi has a presence on campus that’s really unrivaled by most of the staff on campus,” Gagnon said.
He continued, “Everyone knows Gordi’s the guy that will wave to you or say hi to you in the dining commons and if you don’t wave back, you’re an idiot.”
Schiaffo said, “He’s a funny guy. Definitely a unique individual.”
Junior Emily Potoczak had the same idea. “He’s always been friendly,” she said. So far, Gordi is keeping an open mind about the radio show. He said he is both excited and nervous.
“It could be something they really like and enjoy, or I could be off after one week,” Gordi said.
Gordi said that one of the messages he hopes to get across is to “just slow down a little bit, look up from their iPhones and iPads and all these other things, and see the world around them that they’re going to be a part of, like it or not, sooner or later.”
Talk radio has its ups and downs, but from what students have said Gordi has it under control.
Gordi has been a member of the college community for a while, and now he is talking about important issues, on and off of campus.
And with the click of a button, Gordi’s thoughts and opinions will air live during his next show.
Rebecca Marsh can be contacted at rmarsh@keene-equinox.com