HORLYK: Former storage room becomes Morningside College radio studio

SIOUX CITY | Ben Catus, station manager for Morningside College's student-run KMSC-FM, likes to think he represents the eyes and ears of the campus.

Unfortunately, the radio station's temporary digs aren't equipped with a window for Catus to actually see outside of his broadcast booth.

"It feels weird to be on the air in this tiny room," Catus said, as he sat inside the makeshift Lewis Hall studio that was formerly used for storage by the Spanish Department. "It feels closed-off at times."

Since June, KMSC has been broadcasting a few buildings away from its longtime Hickman-Johnson-Furrow Learning Center home.

The change in locale is because of remodeling being done inside of the Learning Center as well as the ongoing construction of two neighboring buildings, which will soon house new classrooms and an expanded advising center.

The $13 million project is expected to be complete by fall.

Dave Madsen, head of the college Mass Communications Department, said he chose Lewis Hall as KMSC's alternate site because the station's transmitter happens to be on the roof of the building. Madsen admits the control booth -- which has no air conditioning and is cooled solely by two small fans -- is far from ideal.

"We're basically broadcasting from inside of a closet," he admitted.

Once the Learning Center remodeling is complete, Catus will return to the old studio.

Still, the station's afternoon DJ is making the most of the situation.

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HORLYK: Former storage room becomes Morningside College radio studio