Welcome! This page is all about CKCU’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.
CKCU turned 50 at midnight, November 15, 2025.
Below, you’ll find:
• info about special anniversary events
• the sponsors who helped make our events a success!
• info about the commemorative book and the limited edition Gold LP “Still The Mighty”)
•sign-up for CKCU alumni email updates (scroll down!)
Anniversary Weekend Celebrations
At 12:00:01 am, November 15, 1975, Joni Mitchell’s “You Turn Me On, I’m A Radio” sparked the beginning of FM broadcasting by Radio Carleton, CKCU-FM, at 93.1 on the dial. Exactly fifty years later, volunteers past and present ceelbrated with a full weekend of activities, from Friday, November 14 to Sunday, November 16.
Volunteers and alumni gathered on the stairs of Nideyinàn (the building that houses CKCU studios) for an epic group photo. For a digital copy of the best shot(s), email alumni@ckcufm.com.
The Friday night social reunited old friends from five decades of young people (well, they were young at the time) who contributed to the Mighty 93. There was music, merriment and a general tone of satisified nostalgia.
Friday‘s social culminated at midnight in CKCU’s studios with a special broadcast and a toast to the next 50 years of exemplary programming.
Saturday night’s Alumni Anniversary Dinner & Spectacle (some called it a Gala) featured speeches, awards, reminiscences, a photo booth, displays of ephemera, merch sales and, of course, dinner.
CKCU alumnus Mark Sutcliffe, who left Radio Carleton to eventually become Mayor of Ottawa, delivered a Proclamation declaring November 15th to be
CKCU-FM Radio Carleton Day in the city.
After dessert, we presented 20 recognition awards to volunteers who have contributed to CKCU for an incredible 30 years (or more!) each.
The 50th Anniversary Committee is super-grateful to all the local businesses who helped the anniversary celebrations stay on budget!
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Media Coverage of CKCU’s 50th
CTV report by Camille Wilson
CKCU 93.1 celebrates 50 years of FM radio
CBC Radio ‘All In A Day’ interview by Alan Neal with CKCU station director Lia Kiessling
CKCU’s funding drive celebrates 50 years of broadcasting
CBC Radio ‘In Town And Out’ report by Amanda Putz
CKCU’s program director Dave Aardvark speaks to Amanda Putz about what it takes to stay on the air for five decades
CBC Radio ‘In Town And Out’ report by Amanda Putz
Musician and occasional host on Spirit of Vietnam speaks to Amanda Putz about what CKCU means to her communities
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Commemorative Book
Coming soon to your coffee table! A group of volunteers headed by Michael (tic) Houston is compiling the history of CKCU-FM into a richly illustrated 12″ x 12″ book, featuring contributions from CKCU alumni throughout the ages. There will be only TWO HUNDRED copies printed.
Special Edition:
One hundred copies of the book will be a very Special Edition (not exactly as illustrated). Here’s what you get for $200:
- A hand-numbered first edition of the commemorative book (want a specific number? Ask about availability, but sorry, 93 is already taken!)
- Your name listed on our “This Book Was Made Possible By…” supporters’ page
- Custom-printed 45rpm adapters featuring CKCU branding
- A bonus USB drive containing hundreds of additional photographs that could not be included in the print edition, and Digital copies of all available issues of Trans FM, CKCU’s original program guide
Standard Edition
The standard version of the book will be available for $93.10. You can pre-order the standard edition now. Go to the same GoFundMe page and enter $93 x the quantity desired. This is also a limited print run, so order now to ensure that YOU get your copy.
Act Now!
Hurry, the Deluxe Edition is turning out to be very popular! Pre-order at GoFundMe or e-transfer to alumni@ckcufm.com. Old-school cheques still work, too, payable to CKCU-FM and mailed to 517 Nideyinàn, Carleton University, Ottawa ON K1S 5B6.
Limited Edition LP ~ ‘Still The Mighty’
For CKCU’s 50th anniversary, Jeff Larocque & Dave Aardvark have compiled 13 new tracks from 13 independent local artists for a limited edition LP on GOLD vinyl (well, gold coloured, not $4600/oz. real gold).
The selected bands and tracks reflect the diversity and dynamism of our local artists, and this LP showcases them across the Community Radio sector and beyond. These very special records are now available, but you may want to wait until our Album Release Party, Thursday November 27th at Ollie’s Pub (in Nideyinàn on Carleton campus). Many of the artists will be at the Release Party, and signed copies of the LP will be available!
Jeff and Dave will also be assembling a kickass Bandcamp page with many more tracks (as many as 50, they tell us) that wouldn’t fit on the LP.
Updates
For more information, watch for updates on this web page, or subscribe to the Best Alumni Email List Ever by contacting Bruce at alumni@ckcufm.com
PHOTO CREDITS: Chris White with guitar, birthday cake close-up and Station Director Lia Kiessling accepting Proclamation from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe photos by Erik Stolpmann. Headless man with book photo by Bruce White. Still The Mighty cover design by Dave Aardvark.