What does the General Manager do? What's the wildest thing you've done as GM? Any hard decisions you had to make?

Zane: That is the question, isn't it? We're responsible for the station's overall operations and serve as its main point of contact. That means answering questions, attending and helping with all of our events, staying updated with our staff, and making sure we adhere to any deadlines. There are always some hard decisions, but hiring new staff was always the toughest for me. So many great students contribute to WUVT -- picking just a few to join as staffheads is always challenging.

Grace: On the books, GMs are supposed to support each facet of the station, the staffheads, and facilitate meetings. In practice, GMs do whatever is required of them on any given day. Zane and I often contribute in all kinds of different ways - whether that means buying snacks for Radiothon, helping set up and break down events, or helping finalize merch designs. I think the silliest thing I ever had to do as general manager was probably DJ a silent disco in Squires. Every decision made in that position was difficult given that I was working with my peers, but I don't have any regrets!

Are you satisfied with all you've done for WUVT as GM? Do you have any past GMs that you tried to "live up to?"

Zane: Definitely! WUVT's prior GM, Michael Haddad, left a substantial foundation for us to continue building on this year. However, the person who guided my time at WUVT the most was Justin Louie, the AM program director who taught me how to DJ. He was my blueprint for how I wanted to lead-- by example and with kindness. My goal has always been just to be present and lend a hand when needed.

Grace: I think I’ll always wish I had gotten more done as general manager, but I also have so much faith in the incoming leadership and I’m so excited to see what they’re going to do with the station!

What goes on behind the scenes at WUVT? Is it a lot of management? How much work is it to establish, maintain, and run a radio station?

Grace: WUVT is a giant conglomerate of creatives- which is beautiful and very messy in practice. The basis of the org is collaboration between departments. Given the fact that we are responsible for raising funds to keep our station going, we are constantly planning our next move and the best implementation of resources.

What are you most proud of as GM?

Zane: The way this year's staff continually stepped up and went above and beyond every time we asked them to. There are too many accomplishments to shout out. Still, just the first few of many that came to mind while writing this is Eric's work on WUVT's new mobile website, some of our best premiums ever chosen and designed by Nina and Naomi, Felix's revamping of WUVT News, smooth and successful events thanks to great promotion by Kayra, Abi, and Caroline as well as great live sound by Sebastian, Mo, and Corey (the unsung hero of WUVT) as well as those who stepped into to new or unfamiliar roles and hit the ground running (that's you Ben, Eve, and Ethan!). Since I'm sending this to you, I'll also give you some kudos, Amir. I knew I wanted to relaunch regular articles on the WUVT website this semester, and you took it and ran with it. You've established a clear voice for us so quickly, and I'm glad to see the number of contributors continue to grow after such great initial success.

Grace: We're really proud of the community we built this semester. We feel like the staffheads ended the semester as good friends and collectively did a better job of reaching out to incoming DJs compared to previous years.

How did you both come to be WUVT Co-GMs? What did your 'rise to power' look like?

Zane: I've been a part of WUVT for all four years of my undergraduate degree. I started as an AM during COVID and had my first shows in the spring of 2021 (12-2 am). After that, I knew I wanted to join WUVT's staff and help out, which took me each year from Webmaster to FM Program Director to GM.

Grace: I initially ran for business manager because I was encouraged to by former general manager, Katherine McArdle who helped me pave a path in the organization to general manager without her support, I’m not sure that I would’ve made it here.

Is there anything else you'd like to say? Any parting wishes for the people of WUVT?

Zane: We want to wish the best to all our new and returning staff for the 24-25 school year. They're an awesome group and will do great. Good luck to all of you! Additionally, thank you to everyone I met during my four years at WUVT. Throughout my time here, I have grown, and it has become the most important place in Blacksburg to me. I'll be sure to stay tuned in!

Grace: I have never had as much faith in the future of WUVT as I have now with the incoming staff. I’m so proud of everything that they’ve already accomplished and I can’t wait to see what the next couple of years bring. Big smooches to everyone in WUVT.

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