On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic
Communications alumni returned to campus to celebrate 50 years of WANM 90.5, the university’s student-run radio station. During the anniversary celebration, former station leaders fielded questions from current student broadcasters about their experiences at FAMU, the role the station played in their professional development and the legacy they hope to leave for future generations of Rattlers.
For the alumni, the celebration was more than just 50 years on air. It was a reflection on experiences and the foundations that helped shape their careers long after graduation. One of the central messages came from Cheryl “Capp” Hayden, a former WANM radio personality who now works with Power 99 Philadelphia. Hayden emphasized the connection between her education at FAMU and her professional growth.
“FAMU helped mold me, WANM helped mold my career.” Hayden said.
Hayden’s journey to FAMU began while she was still in high school and was influenced by
the representation and campus experiences she saw portrayed in films, which led her to envision herself at an HBCU. Hayden said one of the most valuable aspects of attending an HBCU is the opportunity to learn from people who reflect students’ own backgrounds and experiences.
“When you hear the accolades a lot of these professors have had, or the things they’ve done, the places they’ve traveled because of what they’re currently doing, it makes you want to push more,” Hayden said. “And to see that face that represents what you look like, why would you not?”
While Hayden reflected on the personal and cultural impact of her FAMU experience,
Carmen Cummings-Martin discussed the foundation she received through SJGC and
WANM. With a career spanning investigative reporting, executive leadership and university administration.
For Cummings-Martin, the values learned in the classroom were not simply academic principles. They became a foundation for making professional decisions.
“The climate is very different now,” she said. “Truth is not always embraced in the way that it should be, and bringing truth to power is not always embraced.”
Despite challenges, Cummings-Martin remains committed to the standards that shaped her career, encouraging journalists to remain grounded in their fundamentals.
“Be true to truth, and don’t compromise that,” Cummings-Martin said. “Do not compromise your integrity, because character and a good name, my grandmother told me, will take you places that you never imagined.”
Keith Miles, a former WANM general manager, reflected on his role in preparing students for careers in media. He encouraged students to explore different positions in the station, including program director, operations manager and news director, rather than limiting themselves to one role.
“You don’t see a lot of people being DJs well into their careers,” Miles said. “So, you got to learn how to expand your career, and so I wanted them to do that, and I’ve tried to be an example of that.”
One of the aspects Miles said he is most proud of is the range of programming and
personalities that have contributed to the station’s identity over the years. He wants WANM to continue building on that foundation while maintaining its commitment to student development.
“It’s grooming people just like you to have careers, and when you leave here, there’s going to be opportunities out there for you,” Miles said. “And so that, to me, is the perfect example of what the radio station was founded for, and what it should be doing going into the future.”
As part of the anniversary celebration, several alumni were recognized for their contributions to the station and the broader media community. Meaghan Taylor received an Amplifier Award Honoree recognition, Carmen Cummings-Martin received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award Honoree recognition, Keith Miles received a First Signal Award Honoree recognition, and Andrew “Andy” Hanus received a Behind the Board Award Honoree recognition.
Together their experiences demonstrate that WANM’s impact extends beyond its 50 years on air. Its legacy lives on through the alumni who carry the lessons they learned at FAMU into their careers and students who continue building on the foundation they left behind
