Eye-in-the-Sky Image

Traffic is once again flowing after a three-car collision near Simmons backed up traffic in three directions; one bringing traffic from Storrow Drive, one from Huntington, and one from the triangle menagerie near the Landmark Center.

It appears that while the drivers of the two initial cars involved in the accident (the gray Toyota Prius and the white Volvo) escaped unharmed, the driver of the third vehicle may be suffering from a sore neck. She is shown at left, pacing near her vehicle while rubbing her own shoulders.

Should more information become available or if there are further developments with this event, I will update the website.

Are you in the Boston area and looking for something to do this Friday night April 2oth?

No problem. Come and watch the hit band Augustana perform their hits singles Boston, Sweet and Low, and many more.

The band will be joined by opening acts Ace Enders and Greylag.

Doors will open at 7:30pm and the show is set to start at 8pm. Tickets are being sold here at Simmons college and ticket sales have now been open to the entire Boston community, as long as you have a valid and current college ID. Members of the Simmons Community are also allowed to purchase tickets with their ID’s.

Our very own managers Katie Vasconcelos and Cristina Aiello from CK Our Way are working on something special for the station, stay tuned for updates.

So come hang out and jam to some great tunes!

“It Gets Better” was initially a response by the columnist and author Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller to a rash of LGBT suicides, the result of bullying and harassment at schools and on campuses across the country. The project aims to turn the tide of self-destruction by reaching vulnerable youth with the voices of survival and accomplishment. This video is Simmons’ contribution to this important effort, by adding our voices of hope, encouragement, and achievement.

Here are two of the first photos in the series, featuring Cristina Aiello of CK Our Way!

Katie Vasconcelos, a senior, is a radio broadcaster. She loves what she’s doing.

“The radio station here at Simmons completely changed my career path,” Vasconcelos says. “There’s nothing like being in the station and sitting behind that soundboard. All of the control is in your hands and what kind of show people will get is really all up to you.”

Simmons College Radio (SCR) is fairly young. Radio manager and professor Len Mailloux describes it as being in its “toddler stage.” It hit the air in October of 2008.

“The idea for the station really started with Professor Corcoran. He worked for several years before we even met, to try and interest the college in starting a station,” says Mailloux.

Still, SCR is not to be overlooked. Mailloux already feels like the station is proving itself to be an asset.

“The radio station allows students to be themselves. They can shake off their nerves, shed off that layer of shyness, sit behind a microphone and talk about what they think is important. It’s giving students a voice. Students learn confidence and develop their articulation skills,” he says.

SCR, which is open to all students and staff, also plays a large role in two of Mailloux’s communication courses. Radio Ops and Globalization on a Shoestring have allowed students to produce and host their own shows and have a live broadcast with students from different countries.

The station also allows students to have a hands-on experience with real life radio equipment. Students and staff have opportunity to work with some of the most expensive and advanced software in the business. But students don’t have to be communications majors to take advantage of the station.

“I want as many people from different departments in that station as possible,” says Mailloux. “That’s why the radio station is so special. It’s for everyone. If you have something to say and it’s smart, then get in that studio. I’m not saying that radio is easy or that it’s for everyone. There is a lot of hard work that goes into making and producing a great show.”

“I think the station has done a lot for the students and the entire Simmons community. We offer students from many areas of the college and the station is used as part of courses in many departments. It’s also a great way to make friends with people from around the world,” he adds.

Marcy Slack, a senior, is the station’s web director. “I think one of the reasons why the radio station here has been able to grow in such a short period of time is because of what it has to offer. I know of a few people who started to mold their craft in this station, that are now off in the real world working for some of the best companies and stations,” she says.

The station has also won a few impressive awards. At this year’s Intercollegiate Broadcasting System conference in New York City, SCR brought home five national awards, including the Platinum Microphone Award. Only four other schools were presented with this same honor.

“I think Len and all of the students involved with the station have a great outlook on what they want for it moving forward,” says Vasconcelos. “As long as people continue listening and making shows there’s no limit as to how much this little station can accomplish. I really feel like it could become one of the, if not the best college radio station.”

“All of these awards mean something.” Says Mailloux. “If students are walking by that studio and it’s dark, I can’t say it enough, ‘Come to me, we’ll talk about possible show ideas, and then get in there and make some magic.’ If you see the station booth at one of the events here at the school, don’t be afraid to approach us and leave your information.”

“The station belongs to the students and the staff who want it,” he adds. “It’s theirs to use to their advantage. I’m so proud of all the things that have come out of having a college station. This is honestly the little station that could, and I think it will.”