By Matt Johnston, '08 | Campus News Editor

Jawann Haynes looks up from the microphone in the WCVM broadcast studio.

Photo by Bryce Stone, '07

Jawann Haynes is a busy man. While working toward a bachelor’s in video journalism, he oversees all operations at WCVM, the campus radio station.

This includes covering the news and sports, helping make decisions about the station’s budget, working with businesses to get advertising, being the station’s representative to the campus and the community, delegating managers, working with newcomers and dealing with any other important issue relating to WCVM. Try doing that while going to all your classes.

“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work people don’t know about that goes into putting a radio station on the air,” says Jawann. “It takes 15 to 16 hours a week just to have the station up and running.”

Jawann has been the General Manager and CEO of WCVM since last semester. Starting as just a staff member, he rose through the station ranks, from DJ to producer to programming manager, until he reached the top.

His enthusiasm for the job comes from his love of entertaining. “I like to make people laugh,” he says. “I love to talk. I think if you can talk and make people laugh, and get paid for it, that’s great. To bring a little joy into people’s lives, there’s no better feeling.”

Jawann says it’s great to see people from different backgrounds and cultures come together at WCVM. He loves seeing people “break out” when they join the station. “Some of the people are so nervous (when they start out). I’ve seen shy people become more open. They’ve shown traits in themselves that they never thought were there. WCVM kind of brings that out in everybody.”

To students interested in joining “The Vortex,” Jawann says, “Come as you are,” and “Be open minded.” He says we all have our ups and downs. What’s important to the CEO, he says, is that students are willing to learn and are committed. “If you have those skills you will succeed.” He also says to come looking to have fun.

After college, Jawann says he wants to get an internship at a commercial radio station. He wants to work toward becoming an on-air radio personality and eventually have his own morning show.

As far as the station’s future goes, Jawann says podcasts will be expanding. He’s looking into having professors’ lectures available to download for students. Jawann is also trying to make Campus Cable Channel 4 the number one television station on campus.

“WCVM is moving forward along with the four-year video journalism program.”