KWSB-FM began broadcasting in 1968 from the basement of Western State College’s Student Union. Guided by Dr. Martin Hatcher, the station staff was comprised of 11 people from the student body and Gunnison community. The station, broadcasting with a 10-watt signal and operating on an annual budget of $6,500, could be heard daily from 4pm until midnight.

While programming remained music-driven in the 1970’s, educational programs covering topics like American history were not unusual. Political debates, fueled by topics like the Vietnam War and Watergate, were also part of KWSB’s diversified programming. Dr. Frank Venturo succeeded Hatcher as the station’s faculty advisor in 1975. The station’s budget jumped to $12,000 that same year.

The 1980’s were marked by big changes and significant accomplishments at KWSB. Professor Tom Draper took over as the station’s faculty advisor in 1981. Five years later, KWSB’s signal strength increased to 100 watts. In 1987, the station’s studios were moved to Taylor Hall. The larger space was needed for several reasons, including the station’s quickly growing collection of albums. At the time, it was one of the largest album collections in the country. Professor Jim Gelwicks became the station’s fourth faculty advisor when he succeeded Draper in 1987.

The station closed the decade on the highest of notes. On January 28th, 1989, KWSB won its first award in a competition against professional broadcasters. Students David M. Keefe, Tom Bobzin and Laurie Hathaway earned a second-place award from the Colorado Broadcasters Association for their work on a public service announcement promoting WSC’s 1988 theater production of “Unspeakable Acts.” Their accomplishment proved to be an ice-breaker of sorts as the station and its students would go on to win dozens of CBA awards in the years that followed.

Student participation levels continued to soar in the early 1990’s as well over 100 students volunteered at KWSB. In early 1990, students formally adopted the penguin as the official KWSB mascot. The broadcasting work of students reached a national stage in 1991 as KWSB provided coverage of the Crested Butte State Bank explosion. Several national and state media outlets relied on KWSB for reporting and information. In 1994, Gelwicks won the prestigious “Broadcast Citizen of the Year” award from the CBA for his efforts with KWSB and his work in the community.

Gelwicks was succeeded by Dr. Terry Schliesman as faculty advisor in 2000. Schliesman helped students transition the station to the digital age by implementing a new computer system and LAN at KWSB. Venturo returned for a second stint as faculty advisor in 2004. Under his watch, KWSB began streaming its programming on its web site and installed a new automation system. Schliesman returned as faculty advisor in 2008, the year in which KWSB celebrated its 40th anniversary.