“On Air” sign located above Owl Radio door. September 14th, 2025. Photo Credit: Tye Brown/The Sentinel
KSU’s Owl Radio is turning up the volume once again, thanks to a dedicated group of students determined to restore its presence and energy.
After years of dormancy and frequent staff turnover, the student-run station has made a lively comeback with ambitious new leadership and a focus on music that truly represents the campus community.
Owl Radio remained dormant in its quaint booth in the student center until its recent revival.
“There was a lot of team changeover, and it just wasn’t what it used to be in the 2000s and 2010s,” Owl Radio General Manager Joey Hawthorne said.
Students walked past the station without a second glance after it fell into abandonment, and many forgot about it altogether.
The revival began earlier this year, sparked by Hawthorne and Chief Marketing Officer Zach Averill. Inspired by local music organizations on campus, such as the Kennesaw Musicians Union, the students reached out to the school’s student media advisor for support.
The advisor challenged them to take the lead and revitalize the station because no formal leadership was in place. They eagerly accepted.
Averill and Hawthorne quickly set the tone for a new student radio. Their strategy centers on live events, outreach and a deep connection to local music and culture.
“Our whole thing is supporting local music and businesses—a grassroots kind of thing for Kennesaw,” Hawthorne said.
With events such as Battle of the Bands, Owl Radio is seeking to become a hub for music lovers and students seeking a sense of community. With the help of the Kennesaw Musicians Union, students can look forward to a variety of concerts and social mixers, both on and off campus.
“Social media only goes so far, but live promotions—flyers, seeing people set up as you walk to class—show that we’re still here,” Averill said. “People want that sense of community, and live music is a natural bridge.”
The station’s playlist reflects this friendly, inclusive vision. Forget the mainstream: Owl Radio programming is as eclectic as its DJs. Its genres range from jazz to reggae, indie rock and other niche styles.
“Programming is all dependent on what the DJs want—not what’s hot right now, but whatever each person listens to,” Hawthorne said.
The result is a radio station that feels personal, inviting and a little unpredictable—just like the student body itself.
With growth in mind, the station’s new leaders have set clear, positive goals. They aim to secure at least eight event sponsors by the end of the semester and increase social media engagement by 150%.
“We want to hit one event per month for the radio station, whether it’s off campus or on campus,” Averill said.
Long-term sustainability is always on their minds. As the group looks ahead to graduation, they intend to leave behind a detailed playbook for future students to build upon and update.
“When I come back in 15 years, I want to see it thriving,” Hawthorne said.
The new Owl Radio is more than just an audio feed—it has become a meeting ground for music fans seeking fresh sounds and genuine connections.
“You can listen to Spotify all day, but you don’t build the same community,” Hawthorne said. “In-person shows create tight-knit bonds and something positive in the campus community.”
Owl Radio, as the station’s slogan promises, is now “the underground sound of KSU.” It’s a station by students, for students.
The station is committed to helping voices and music of all kinds be heard. Its leadership believes the best is still to come, and the sound of revival is only getting louder.
