Why are you reading this article right now? Why do you ever read the Tufts Daily? Is it because you are interested in your community? Are you curious about the students and faculty at Tufts whose careers are makings waves in academic and professional circles throughout the nation? Are you interested in the events and discourses that occur right here on campus, but are shaping the wider world?
Or did you simply finish the Sudoku, realize you still had 20 minutes left of class and decide to waste the rest of your time checking out an article or two?
If it's any of the former motivations, senior William Dunn wants you in his audience.
And if it's the latter, well, Dunn would still encourage you to listen up.
As founder and host of the campus radio show "The Electric Light," which airs on Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Tufts radio station, WMFO 91.5, Dunn has made it his mission to improve campus communication, interaction and general morale.
"I had gotten the impression that Tufts students were somewhat disappointed in their school; that they weren't satisfied with the academics," Dunn said. "Yet they don't know who is actually at Tufts."
Dunn cited one example: "They don't know that [Philosophy] Professor [Daniel] Dennett is the man that people talk about when they talk about philosophy today."
By inviting such individuals as the highly regarded philosophy to participate in his show, Dunn intends to create a forum "unifying the Tufts community and highlighting the work of those contributing to the 'Tufts way of life,'" Dunn said.
Other past guests create an eclectic mix, including former president of the Tufts Republicans Nick Boyd, president of the Tufts Democrats Aaron Banks, Fletcher Professor and terrorism expert Brigadier General Russell Howard, former Provost Sol Gittleman, and award-winning filmmaker David Sutherland, (LA '67), among others.
In choosing to invite students as well as faculty, Dunn hopes to foster a better relationship between the two demographics at Tufts.
"There is antagonism between the students and the faculty here," Dunn said. "It's almost like with your parents. The faculty feels that. So I invite them on my show, and show them that they are understood and that their work is appreciated. I think that is very important."
Although not yet breaking listening records on campus, the show has generated a considerable amount of acclaim from guests and listeners alike.
"The Electric Light is a forum for the kind of insightful dialogue that is sorely missing in an era of overheard hyperbole," said Banks. "As a host, Mr. Dunn effectively guides the show, challenging his guests while giving them the space to explore important topics and themes."
Dennett also has praise for Dunn's show. "I've done several dozen radio and television interviews in the last two months, with commercial and public stations all over the country, and Will Dunn was much better prepared and better focused than most of the interviewers I've encountered," Dennett said.
"He knows how to set up good topics, and he knows when and how to get out of the way," Dennett added. "I hope that there's a good audience out there to appreciate it."
In order to create such an open and stimulating environment, Dunn prepares rigorously, so as to be capable of responding to dynamics and shifts that occur throughout the interview.
"It's more of a performance," he said. "I have to work on my feet."
This includes more than just laughing appropriately at the guests' remarks - although Dunn does this expertly - but actively participating in the discourse.
"You have to engage; you can't just sit there and throw questions," he said.
In choosing the medium of radio to anchor his ambitions, Dunn feels that he is following the recent trend towards news and intellectual discourse available over the airwaves.
"While newspapers are cutting newsrooms, radio is adding them," Dunn said.
Despite the impressive pool of guests "The Electric Light" has managed to present, in terms of hosting and coordination, it remains a one-man show.
Dunn reports that he currently has no student preparing to fill his shoes after he graduates this May.
"It's a lot of work," Dunn said. "But the radio station is a blast. WMFO is a cool little part of the school to be in."
Future guests are scheduled to include the candidates in the upcoming Tufts Community Union Presidential election, as well as Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone.
