KSWC-LP

Dr. William DeArmond took over leadership of KSWC in the late 1970s and made many improvements, including the location of the radio station. To that point, the radio station had several different homes. The first was in the Christy Administration Building during the days of the current carrier station. After KSWC became FCC-licensed, the station moved to Stewart Field House, then moved twice within the fieldhouse.

In 1980, KSWC's growth began as the staff grew from 7 students to over 40 by 1984, and broadcast hours increased from 21 hours a week to 105 hours a week. The studio at the time consisted of two small rooms complete with cement floors and gutted plaster walls, but at a cost of over $4000, the studio was completely rebuilt and outfitted with new equipment.

Throughout the early 1980s, KSWC became very popular in the area. Listeners branded KSWC as a non-commercial alternative to other commercial stations in the area, and was the only station with the freedom to play unique music, from indie to grunge, Top 40 to Nashville, funk to punk, gospel to jazz, disco, rock, classical, easy listening, and new wave music.

In 1983–84, KSWC was the victim of two major thefts, which crippled the station. Each theft closed the station for a day. Over $1200 worth of radio equipment was stolen and never recovered. After the second theft, the station installed a grill over the station window, and a radio student donated the use of his own personal equipment for broadcasting.

Throughout the second half of the 1980s, the 1990s, and the first few years in the new century, student involvement fluctuated, so the total hours per week and programming also fluctuated. During this time, however, the radio station moved to its current location, and actually to the same building that first housed KSWC: the Christy Administration Building basement. Dr. DeArmond continued leadership of the station during this time, as student managers came and went with the years, but one thing did not change: DJs still had the freedom to play what they wanted during their 3-hour weekly volunteer shift. DJs were required to play 15 of 30 weekly playlists, during their shifts; a student programming manager set the playlist each week. The standard broadcast day during those years was Sunday-Friday from 3 pm to midnight.

From 2003–2005, KSWC DJs Kate Hutchens, Travis Phillips, Paul Farney, Craig Fisher, Levi Hillman, and Christy Hopkins pioneered a morning radio show called "AM Mayhem," which aired weekdays from 7 am to 9 am. AM Mayhem featured a two-DJ music show format, plus morning news and weather updates, and featured the diverse musical tastes of its hosts. Hosts would often host trivia call-ins for listeners, with quiz winners winning small prizes in their campus mailboxes.

In the 2004–05 school year, DJ Paul Farney began announcing Southwestern basketball games with Curt Caden. The games were streamed live and produced by KSWC's Travis Phillips. Because the station lacked a delay, DJs were not allowed to take live calls from listeners, but basketball games and other station programming were available online. For the first time, listeners from around the world could listen to this 10 watt station.

In 2005, Dr. DeArmond stepped down as faculty General Manager and Advisor of KSWC-FM, and J.T.(Tom) Jacobs, chair of the Communication/Computer Science Division became interim faculty advisor during an overhaul of Southwestern's communications division. KSWC received a face-lift, including brand new computer hardware and software, a full production studio, and stronger capabilities for shows, recording and streaming audio. In addition, the studio was fully carpeted and ventilated.

In August 2005, Jacobs turned over day-to-day leadership to student General Manager, Kelly Burgar and student Program Director, Tommy Castor. After 5 months off the air, 2 months of technical updates (including song additions into a new automated system), a new moniker (100.3 The Jinx) and slogan The Station at the Top of the Hill and a staff of approximately 16 students, KSWC-FM went on the air at midnight on October 15, 2005 with Collective Soul's 'Better Now.'

KSWC's management kept the standard DJ volunteer shifts from Sunday-Friday from 3 pm-midnight, but ran the station in automation overnights, mornings and early afternoon hours. Several talk shows were born and eventually found a home weeknights at 9 pm. Hourly newscasts covered sports and local news, and Southwestern football and basketball games with Curt Caden found a steady home on the station.

Currently (2013), Jevyn Voss is the General Manager of KSWC. Tommy Castor, now an employee at Channel 96.3 of Clear Channel Wichita as well as at Southwestern College, advises KSWC.

In 2014, Southwestern College applied for a low-power FM license that would afford it increased protection and power compared to that it had enjoyed as a Class D station limited to 10 watts. In April 2015, KSWC-LP 94.7 went on the air with an effective radiated power of 76 watts. On July 20, 2015, the college surrendered the Class D KSWC license to the FCC, who cancelled it on July 27, 2015.[1]