Milligan University has announced the launch of its student radio station, WUMC, as part of a new collaboration with BBC Introducing in America. This initiative, which officially began on December 5, 2025, will feature a monthly show dedicated to highlighting the talents of college radio stations across Tennessee. WUMC is set to be the featured station on January 2, 2026.
The partnership aims to provide a platform for emerging musicians and artists, not only from Tennessee but also from the United Kingdom. Each broadcast will include segments showcasing local talent alongside an artist from the U.K. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for Milligan’s students to engage with the music industry on a broader scale.
Simon J. Dahlman, chair of the performing, visual, and communicative arts area at Milligan, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “Working with the BBC and the College Radio Foundation is a great partnership for WUMC and a terrific opportunity for our students,” he stated. The WUMC staff has dedicated approximately a year in preparation for this groundbreaking program, and Dahlman noted that the university is proud of their efforts.
Student station manager Michal Curlej, a sophomore at Milligan, also highlighted the significance of the program. “BBC Introducing in America is a great opportunity for our station to connect our listeners with emerging, talented artists from across the state,” Curlej remarked. “It reflects our mission to support local artists by sharing their work with our listeners.” Musicians from Northeast Tennessee are encouraged to submit their music through milliganradio.com/music for a chance to be featured on the station. Artists from other regions can submit their tracks via the College Radio Foundation’s website, collegeradio.org.
The show will be hosted by 90.3 FM WUTK at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Each episode will not only spotlight local independent artists but will also feature a U.K. artist. The inaugural U.K. artist to be showcased will be Nectar Woode, who gained recognition after performing on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury in 2025.
Since its inception in 2007, BBC Introducing has successfully supported independent artists by providing a platform for them to submit their music. The new initiative, BBC Introducing in America, aims to extend these efforts to a wider audience, enhancing opportunities for undiscovered talent on an international level.
Kelly Betts, editor of BBC Introducing, commented on the expansion. “Nurturing and spotlighting new music from across the U.K. has been one of the highlights of my life,” she stated. “I’m excited to take Introducing across the pond to see who we can uncover and support in the U.S. and what opportunities this brings to U.K. and U.S. artists alike.”
The founder of the College Radio Foundation, Rob Quicke, also praised the initiative, stating that college radio in the U.S. plays a crucial role in discovering and championing new music. He described the partnership with BBC Introducing in America as an excellent opportunity that will provide students with invaluable experience.
With this new venture, Milligan University and WUMC are poised to make a significant impact on the local and international music scene, providing a platform for emerging artists and enhancing the educational experience for students involved in the radio station.
