Since 1962, WGLT has held multiple homes on the Illinois State University campus: Cook Hall, Centennial West, and most recently Old Union for the last 47 years. Now, WGLT has a new home, co-located with The Vidette on West Locust Street in Normal. The move caps a multiyear fundraising campaign to build new studios paired with generous support from ISU to update The Vidette building.
In 2021, WGLT started managing The Vidette as it migrated from a print edition to a completely digital operation. Vidette Advisor Kevin Capie worked closely with WGLT Executive Director R.C. McBride to align curriculum within the School of Communication for journalism students, evolve day-to-day operations, and forge joint reporting ventures with the WGLT professional staff. The Vidette is the student voice of Illinois State University and employs 10 student editors who oversee an additional 25-plus students each semester. Earlier this month WGLT and The Vidette launched their first journalistic collaboration on a democracy literacy storytelling project, led by students, tied to the 2024 elections.
WGLT launched fundraising efforts to build new studios in 2017 with the goals of replacing outdated equipment, expanding space for in-studio interviews, and adding a new space for live music performances. With more than $100,000 raised, new technology ordered and plans to expand underway, the pandemic hit and all efforts paused to prevent unnecessary expenses. The pandemic and subsequent pause turned into an exciting, new opportunity as The Vidette partnership came to fruition. The move was supported by and funded by multiple ISU presidents and the Board of Trustees.
WGLT and The Vidette will celebrate their new space throughout 2024 with a series of open houses and events to be announced.
WGLT/The Vidette move by the numbers
- 36 months of planning, construction, and supply chain delays
- 5 beautiful new studios
- 3 precious guest parking spots right outside the building
- 200+ awards packed and moved
- 20 new desks and chairs for a growing WGLT/The Vidette team of full-time staff, part-time staff, and students
- Thousands of memories made and new ones on the horizon
- 1 Old Union bat we hope stayed on east campus
