Azu Esparza-Hernandez, layout editor

Do you want to make your voice heard in the Augsburg community? Are you looking for a place to share your music taste and culture with others? Then search no longer, because KAUG is the place for you!

KAUG is Augsburg’s student radio station. Their website states “It shall be the purpose of KAUG to be a voice for the Augsburg University community and surrounding communities by presenting a variety of media. KAUG aims to provide an outlet for the individuals of Augsburg University to express themselves in many different ways.” Gerardo Rodriguez-Rangel is KAUG vice president and co-studio manager. For him, KAUG is a way to celebrate the shared art and culture of the community on campus by “listening to music and using that as a platform to get connected with other people, to show other people your interest or things that they might not know about.” After speaking with him, KAUG’s mission was clear: connection through music and words are what create community and the variety of DJs, podcasts and open opportunities that KAUG brings to Auggie’s ears does exactly that.

For example, Jose Orozco Islas and Karelly Reyes Alvarado celebrate and take pride in their culture with their new podcast, “Hella Chisme,” which they started to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our country’s history, culture and society. Every Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., these two Auggies take on big topics affecting their communities. From intersectionality to immigrant rights and machismo, “Hella Chisme” covers many topics. In an Instagram questionnaire open to all Auggies they asked, “What do you wanna know about us? What topics do you wanna hear/talk about?” From there, Orozco and Reyes gathered topics of conversation. In their first podcast, they discuss intersectionality and “how it feels like to be part of the LGBTQIA+ community while also being Latinx.” In their first hour-long podcast, the hosts introduced themselves and discussed what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. After a few comments on favorite dishes and celebration traditions, they discussed what pride really means for them. “I am going to exist, I am going to take up space,” Orozco said proudly in the episode. 

Last spring, the Echo was able to collaborate with KAUG on two different shows, The Echo Sports Hour and The Echo Hour, hosted by me, Azu Esparza Hernandez. During my hour-long slot, I was able to do exactly what Rodriguez mentioned. I was able to share my music and give article updates as well as upcoming events and available articles from The Echo. These were things that I was passionate about and that I wanted more people to hear about. Having my own show on KAUG allowed me to reach a wider audience and acted as an outlet to be creative in my own ways. 

KAUG is all about celebrating Augsburg’s music, culture, ideas, taste and every opinion that makes us human. The board wants everyone to know that their door is wide open. If you would like to start your own show, reach out! Fill out the KAUG Radio Survey to submit your idea for a show or request air time. No idea is too big or too small!