Photo by Roe Borunda / The Collegian
It seemed like a quiet night on the Fresno State campus Thursday, but not at The Bucket. Conversation, laughter and, of course, music poured out of the on-campus pub and grill as more than 100 students of all types gathered for the launch party of 90.7 KFSR Full Spectrum Radio’s new program, “Dog Dish.”
Associated Students, Inc. collaborated with The Bucket to host the late-night celebration for the live airing of the first “Dog Dish” hosted by Jordan King, ASI communications assistant.
“Since this is a Fresno State radio, we want to make sure that we have something that’s run solely by students and interviewing students,” said Parmita Choudhury, executive vice president of ASI.
King said she hopes students know about the radio station.
“I love for them to know that they have that opportunity, and the fact that ASI gives them that voice on the radio is the cherry on top,” she said. “Now they will know that every Thursday from 9 p.m. to midnight they can hear what’s going on around campus and hopefully later on whatever music they request.”
Students said they will now tune in to the radio station knowing that a peer is running the program.
“It’s very exciting to have a Fresno State student, who is also your peer, to now be the voice on Thursday nights,” student Tom McLaughlin said. “Jordan is doing a great job. Now that I know she is the one on the radio, I will listen.”
Fresno State student and local musical artist Jenny Tormey was the first student on “Dog Dish” Thursday night. She sang along and danced with friends as her songs played throughout the night.
“I can’t believe I was chosen to be the first one, and I’m really grateful for it,” she said. “I think all Fresno State students should always promote other students.”
Tormey said she hopes “Dog Dish” has more artists on the show in the future.
“I hope it makes their careers that much better,” she said. “I know it’s already done that for me, and I feel great about it.”
Choudhury said she believes Tormey’s musical talents drew the large crowd on Thursday.
“Tonight I think is an awesome turnout,” King said.
She said that no one expected the large gathering.
“We have everyone from the Fresno State club sports hockey team, the FREAKS Boardgaming Club, ASI, KFSR, Collegian, Alumni and Greek life,” she said. “We have everything possible here, including people who never were involved with anything.”
It was a chance for everyone to hang out with friends, be on campus late and meet new people, King said.
“I think it brings totally different aspects of Fresno State into one place,” she said. “I am hoping students recognize that it’s a chance to mingle outside their comfort zones because instead of hanging out with their same sorority, fraternity, club or group of friends, they can get out to the table next to them and meet someone they might never would have talked to in class and just be here with a glass of beer and good music.”
Fresno State student Erika Vumback agrees.
“Rather than just going to the same places, everybody can come together here,” she said. “I’ve met so many different people already.”
Choudhury described the event as a “humongous” hit.
“Because it is such a big hit, we are thinking we want to do more events like this,” she said. “We think students actually find it really fun.”
ASI chose The Bucket for the event because it was on campus, Choudhury said.
“We wanted to have more atmosphere on campus because Fresno State is a commuter campus,” she said. “It is something that is not as well-known that we definitely think is something we want to also promote.”
Students said they enjoyed having The Bucket open late, and for many it was the first time there.
Megan Sarantos, The Bucket manager, said many students walk by and would never know about the grill and pub.
“I’m hearing a lot that people don’t know we are on campus,” she said. “This is great for ASI, KFSR, and I think it’s great for The Bucket, too.”
Fresno State student Matt Shupe said he was surprised at how packed The Bucket was and had a hard time finding seating.
“This is obviously a success, and I would love to see this type of on-campus nightlife continue,” he said. “It’s familiar. It’s friendly. It’s cool, and it’s cheap.”
Another Fresno State student, Lauryn Moles, said The Bucket should stay open late more often.
“People are here and people enjoy doing things in the evenings,” she said. “It’s nice that The Bucket is open for students to still gather on campus because it’s close and convenient.”
Sarantos said The Bucket is only open late for special events, but has tried to permanently have later hours.
“We have tried that in the past, and it only does well for a short period of time,” she said.
ASI has funded the three-hour Thursday night radio program for the rest of the semester.
Choudhury said, “Tonight is a really good indication that this is something we should continue to fund in the future.”
