In 1924, St. Olaf College considers shutting down WCAL because of financial difficulties. St. Olaf students (particularly the Class of 1924), in cooperation with the local newspaper, the Northfield News, begin a fund drive to keep the station going.
Contributions began to arrive from as far away as Montana.
The St. Olaf College Class of 1924 raised $5,600 [equivalent to $67,000+ in 2007 dollars].
Thus supported by the St. Olaf and Northfield communities, WCAL becomes the first listener-supported radio station in the country (possibly the world) and—arguably—the "Mother of Public Radio".
