Butler found a home on the airwaves, at The W
Listeners of Mississippi University for Women’s radio station, WMUW, have probably heard the voice of Jordan Butler.
Having co-hosted and eventually hosted The W Blues Show for three semesters, the Columbus native was definitely a regular on the air.
“It gives me an opportunity to bring my family and friends in to do something with me on campus,” he said.
During his first semester on the air, Butler was a co-host, but a scheduling left the main host unable to return until the next semester. Butler took the helm and kept the show going. At times, he would do up to three shows a week, each with something unique to offer.
Butler said, “We had one weekly show that was a music show. Then we had one weekly show that was more of a talk show with extensive talking parts broken up by a few songs here and there. Then on Thursdays of last semester, we started a new show that I came up with, and it was an album review show. We would take one album and we go through it and give our opinions on it.”
This album review show spawned one of Butler’s favorite memories from his time at The W, the Halloween show. With a campfire-like atmosphere Butler and his friends told spooky stories for the first half of the show. The second half, they played Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Butler was even named Student of the Year for WMUW.
“It’s been really fun. I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.
As a transfer student coming from East Mississippi Community College, Butler didn’t really know anyone on campus. In many situations, this would lead to a feeling of isolation. However, Butler found community in the close-knit Department of Communication.
“I feel like I’ve made a lot of not just college connections, but lifetime connections here,” he said. “Dr. Barry (Smith) and Dr. Melissa (Smith) have been some of my favorite professors I’ve ever had. They’ve really made the experience a lot better.”
The choice to attend The W was an easy one for Butler. His mom attended the University and it was close to home. What was uncertain was the degree program he would choose.
“We were looking around at different majors at different colleges, and then we found communication,” Butler said. “That seemed like something I wanted to do because I’m interested in videography and cinematography, and I’m good at writing.”
Now, Butler will continue the family tradition and join the Long Blue Line.