KSTO has been on the air in one form or another without interruption (for the most part) since 1957. In 1965, it installed its AM Carrier Current system which involved utilizing St. Olaf’s infamous steam tunnels to run wires from the station to each residence hall. At the time of its inception, KSTO served as an outlet for students to express their opinions, and its music format reflected the progressive views of the campus at the time.
To this day, KSTO offers the same opportunity to any St. Olaf student, asking only that on-air personalities adhere to the same FCC guidelines which govern every radio station in the country. Beyond that, there is no censorship or policies dictating what types of music students can play and what topics of conversation they can cover.
As St. Olaf continues to grow in numbers, KSTO continues to grow in popularity. Since 2000, KSTO has broadcast from a dedicated space on the lower level of Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf’s campus center. This production suite consists of a reception room, office for managers and music directors, on air studio, and recording studio.
Meet the Staff!
Harry Edstrom
Station Manager
Harry Edstrom is a senior at St. Olaf College. This is his second year serving as KSTO’s station manager. Harry studies religion and in his free time enjoys songwriting, pretending to read important books in the Cage, and casual conversation with his friendly neighborhood Jehovah’s Witnesses. Harry definitely does not harbor any antagonistic feelings towards MEC.
Kathryn York
Programs & Operations Director
Kathryn was born and raised in the faraway land of central Massachusetts where she prides herself on living only one hour away from anything interesting or fun like Boston or the ocean or that one ski mountain halfway across the state. She’s now entering her senior year at St. Olaf College to culminate her studies in Environmental Studies and Media Studies. Tune into her show Sundays at 4 to hear some funky jams and probably some songs that make her think of New Mexico.
Sumner Pitt
Production Studio Director
Sumner is from Boise, Idaho. He enjoys stopping at the Cage before his classes. His favorite musical artists include Lee Hazelwood, Aphex Twin, and Blondie. Find him in the Cage trying to remember his various passwords
Lindsey Bertsch
Artist Outreach
Emma DPR
Art Co-Director
Emma dePaulo Reid, colloquially known as DPR, is a DC gal majoring in English and Classics. Let’s take a look at the reviews:
“She’s ok.” -Sophie Wang
“Will you to stop bothering me about that stupid quote?” -Lisa dePaulo Reid
“Very loud, still thinks it’s cool to swear.” -Anna “Anna” Moen
“What’s this for, again?” -Emma Beahler
“Suffocating…” -Washington Post
Thea Lund
Art Co-Director
Sophie Wang
Sophie, affectionately known as the school bully, is a senior studying religion and chemistry. When not working at KSTO, she’s trying to study for orgo but is too distracted by people watching and browsing spotify to get any work done. Her current musical obsession is Mitski’s Be the Cowboy but she is not above listening to Harvest Moon on repeat and getting too emo before class.
Alex Son
Webmaster
Luis Almanza
Emma Chambers
My name is Emma, I’m a sophomore, I’m from Orlando FL, and I’m a BM Vocal Performance major. Music is my entire life and I love sharing it with people! I have a huge passion for local indie/arts scenes as well as classical/choral music. If you ever need music recommendations, I’m your gal.
Juliana Goldman
Juliana is a sophomore who studies econ and environmental studies and is a self-aware music and pun addict. She markets and does social media stuff for KSTO and has a radio show called Indie-cisive with her buddy Will. At any moment she can be found crying over the fact that Rex Orange County and Brockhampton only have explicit songs.
Grace Lindmark
Grace is a sophomore studying Economics and Environmental Science. She likes to talk through movies, check emails, sit in the quad, and drink la croix (but not in the studio). Grace is a part of both KSTO and MEC. She is 5’3 and proficient in Instagram.
Liz Nikcevich
DOB: 07/07/99
TOB: 13:04 PM
Sun: Cancer
Symbol: Crab
Moon: Taurus
Element: Water
Ruling Planet: Moon
Allergy: Wheat