The Next 90: Strengthen the Home of the Cornell Media Guild's Independent Voices

Join us in celebrating nine decades of voices, music, and journalism from Cornell Media Guild. Recognize the power of independent student media and help us support the next 90 years of Cornell Media Guild’s success.

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1935, the Cornell Media Guild (then called the Cornell Radio Guild) has been providing students with hands-on experience in media and business for 90 years. Together, the Guild owns and operates WVBR-FM, the last independent, student-run commercial radio station in the United States, as well as the record label Electric Buffalo Records and the freeform online radio stream Cornell Radio.

Across these three platforms, students gain experience in media and music production while honing valuable business and leadership skills. Having regained footing after a membership slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guild is in the midst of a historic resurgence, growing from under 20 members in 2023 to over 200 active Guild members today. Now, more students than ever before have access to the Guild’s various resources, providing learning experiences and community that will shape students' collegiate and professional lives for years to come.

Olbermann-Corneliess Studios, located at 604 E. Buffalo St.

WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED

The relocation of our headquarters to Olbermann-Corneliess Studios at 604 E Buffalo St., was made possible through the generous engagement from alumni and friends, led by a 2013 gift by Keith Olbermann ’79. The studio has remained as the heart of our community ever since. Whether it be live sports broadcasts in Air One, student bands practicing in Studio A, or engineers in the Podfather Tech Pit, the house is full of students eager to gain hands-on experience. However, after braving many harsh Ithaca winters, our studios need repairs. Our infrastructure, including the siding, downstairs porch, and upstairs balcony, needs maintenance over the next year to remain in full use. As keeping the house functional is crucial to the Guild's operation, we rely on your support to raise $10,000 for facility renovation and upkeep.

Over the last decade, dozens of college radio stations have gone off air or transferred their licenses, and most remaining stations, like WICB at Ithaca College, receive funding from their affiliated universities. Our students work to sustain consistent revenue streams, revamping outreach to local businesses, partnering with on-campus organizations, and hosting ticketed student concerts, however, the Guild still depends on the generosity of listeners and supporters to supplement dwindling commercial income and stay on air.

Student DJs in Air One

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

Maintaining the house is just one step in a larger movement at the Cornell Media Guild. With a flurry of student activity, from membership growth to exciting new projects, the Guild’s 90th year has been one for the books.

WVBR-FM now has over 40 hours of student programming, the most in almost a decade. Working alongside our engineering team, our DJs have brought live music back on air, hosting student performances and bringing touring bands, including Melt, Pump Action, and Ithaca’s own X Ambassadors, to the airwaves. News and sports programming have also expanded, producing weekly shows on local politics and Cornell athletics. DJing on Cornell Radio has also reached an all-time high of 37 live shows each week, offering listeners a variety of programming, from talk shows to genre deep dives.

Electric Buffalo Records, a 2015 addition to the Guild, has also had a big year. Our two signed bands, Cashmere Rips and Spit!, are both recording original music with in-house audio engineers, while our marketing and A&R teams help manage social media, release schedules, and merchandise development. Expanding beyond label services, Electric Buffalo Records hosts bi-weekly open mic nights at the Olbermann-Corneliess Studios and monthly band nights at larger venues across Ithaca. The most recent band had over 300 student attendees and secured sponsorship from Narragansett Beer, a national brand. With this, Electric Buffalo Records has established itself as not only a hub for music lovers but a cornerstone of Cornell’s larger community.

The Cornell Media Guild expands beyond Cornell's campus, serving as a unique town-gown bridge. Students work alongside local community members to develop content for an audience that includes Cornellians and Ithacans alike. Community-oriented partnerships, such as our spring CMGFest, a music festival in the Commons launched in 2024,bring students and local businesses together. Students also learn from our beloved weekend DJs, whose unique programming includes Bound for Glory, the longest-running live folk concert broadcast in the country. Our 90th anniversary has also brought the Guild's alumni community closer through happy hours over Zoom and in person in New York City, active engagement in our Facebook group, and photo and story features from alumni throughout the years in our student newsletter. 

Bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences, the Guild's ongoing success is a credit to the thousands of individuals who have contributed, big and small, throughout the years. Whether you’re an alumnus remembering your first show, a local listener who tunes in every weekend, or a friend of student media, your support ensures that WVBR-FM, Electric Buffalo Records, and Cornell Radio can continue to serve as vital outlets for creativity, collaboration, and community. Help us preserve this space and ensure that the next generation of students can continue to find their voice here.

WVBR On-Air Performance from Studio A with Cashmere Rips

As a registered student organization, we are committed to equal access to all of our programs and do not discriminate based on any protected identity status.