WCCH was established in 1976 under the guidance of the late Everett Clegg, professor and Director of the Audio Visual Center. For the first year of its existence the station, then known as WHCC, was a student-led campus project and only able to broadcast to the pod. In its early days, the station faced many challenges in becoming licensed. In 1976-1977, WCCH received the approval for funding from the Student Senate, which allowed them to pursue an FCC-licensed FM station. Because the call letters WHCC were already taken by Holy Cross College, they were changed to WCCH.

One year later on November 14, 1977, the students aired their first official WCCH broadcast. With the participation of many enthusiastic and passionate dj’s, news broadcasters and organizers, it wasn’t long before the station became known as “The New Voice in the Valley,” amassing a respectable audience among both students from HCC and the greater Holyoke community.

Soon after licensing, the station was given recognition and support by the famous comedian and talk show host Dick Cavett. Cavett’s endorsement won the station many new listeners, which allowed for new equipment and recording booths to be purchased. The station soon became host to many local artists who performed on its programs. Some listeners came up the hill to campus in their cars just to hear the station while sitting in the parking lot. This increased popularity, which was and is still due entirely to the dedication of the students by whom it has always been run, has allowed WCCH to stay on the airwaves for over forty years. The station began to call itself “WCCH – the Best in Variety” as a new on-air slogan amid the increasing recognition. The station continues to be an important and valuable asset to Holyoke Community College and the Holyoke Community.

(Compiled by Adam Chapman in 2017)