Planning for what would become KNWD begun in the early 1970s with two competing plans being proposed: a student-run station or an academic station connected to NSU's Speech and Journalism Department. The departmental proposal was for an AM station that would be used "only as an academic tool," while the student-led proposal was for an independent FM music station. In October 1973, while still working toward final approval for an over-the-air station, students Mike Price, Russell Morrison, and Gary Lampert launched an unlicensed AM carrier current station, KNSU-AM, in their dorm. In November 1973, students approved a referendum assessing a new 50¢ fee to support the station, pending approval by the state board of education and a license from the Federal Communications Commission. On April 22, 1974, KNSU-AM went campus-wide on via carrier current, broadcasting primarily contemporary progressive rock from the Russell Library while it awaited an FM license. The station received its non-commercial FM construction permit in August 1974; the application was accelerated by the FCC with the help of the Louisiana congressional delegation. Operating as KNWD-FM, the student-run station officially went on air on September 30, 1975, with the slogan "Creative FM Stereo 91.7." KNWD-FM continued to operate out of Russell Library until 1988, when the station moved across campus to South Hall, which the station referred to on air as "Croce Hall" in honor of 1970s singer-songwriter Jim Croce who died in a plane crash in Natchitoches in 1973. In 1995, the station moved once again to Kyser Hall. Equipment for the new station was funded through a $4,200 grant and a $6,600 loan from the student government, with the expectation that the loan would be paid back over several years from through the student activity fee assessment. The station also received donations of studio equipment from KTOC in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Throughout the 1970s, the SGA loan was a bone of contention between the station and student government, until it was repaid in 1977 following an increase in the student activity fee. Over the years, the station hosted a variety of fundraisers to support equipment purchases, including several notable radiothons, such as the 54-hour broadcast from atop the Old Bullard Mansion columns in 1982 and the 1987 homecoming weekend-long "Stairway to Heaven in '87" broadcast from atop Turpin Stadium. The station transmitter and antenna were initially installed atop Russell Library, operating at 10 watts ERP. To improve coverage, the station moved the antenna to an airport beacon tower at Natchitoches Regional Airport in 1978, before relocating to the top of Harry Turpin Stadium in the mid-1980s, which allowed the station to broadcast at its licensed 255 watts ERP. Since 2014, the station has broadcast RBDS RadioText and has streamed via the TuneIn app.
Programming
, KNWD programs a mix of "alternative and progressive music not appreciated in mainstream media." It also actively promotes local musicians, both through airplay and events. In addition, the station airs student-written news reports and coverage of Northwestern Demons athletics and NSU events. Over its history, KNWD has had a variety of formats from progressive rock to Top 40 to album oriented rock, although for most of its history the station has followed a traditionally eclectic college radio format with a variety of specialty shows and some syndicated programming. The degree to which the station adhered to a more "professional" format with restricted playlists has also varied over the years. The station also produces themed playlists for holidays and events.
Music festivals
KNWD organizes music festivals and concerts on campus featuring local performers, as well as national acts. The station organized its first festival, featuring five local bands, in December 1975; instead of tickets, the station sold KNWD T-shirts for concert-goers to wear. CaddoFest was a fall pep-rally and music festival held in 2013 and 2015 to complement the annual "Battle for Chief Caddo" football rivalry game against Stephen F. Austin State University. In 2016 and 2017, the station organized Neon Inferno, an EDM and hip-hop festival. DemonFest is a music festival held in the spring by KNWD. It usually holds up to two or more up-and-coming bands as headliners and well-known local bands. KNWD launched the festival in 2000 in part as a reaction to the university booking Toby Keith for an on-campus concert, which the station felt did not reflect the interests of students. In 2007, the station combined DemonFest with the Natchitoches Jazz & R&B Festival. After a hiatus of several years, DemonFest was restarted by KNWD in 2013. In 2017, weather concerns forced the traditionally outdoor festival into Prather Coliseum. Over the years, the festival has ranged from one day of music to three days.
Other events
KNWD has organized a number of campus and local events over the years. Notably, on Halloween 1982, the station coordinated the move of the campus ghost, Isabella, from the burned ruins of Caldwell Hall to the oldest building on campus, the Old Women's Gymnasium. The event involved more than 750 people, a marching band, and a mounted honor guard.
