In January of 1978, WPCD, located in room 120 in the X wing of Parkland College, went on the air for the first time. Broadcasting on the frequency of 88.7 FM, WPCD was putting out just 3000 watts of power. The station was a learning lab for Parkland College students interested in the fields of Mass Media and Broadcast Communications. Ed Kelly, a Parkland instructor and local news channel broadcaster, took the idea of creating a college radio station from the drawing board to on-air. When it first started, it was for only a short amount of time each day. Beginning at 8 am to noon in the summer, and until 5 pm or 7 pm in the Spring and Fall semesters. Overseen by only a few faculty and staff, the station was run overall by students in the Speech 111 classes. The style at the time was diverse, with news, sports, human affairs, and a music format of Top-40, country, and jazz.
In the following years, the style of the station changed many times, as did the broadcasting power. In 1998, the station moved to a newer, taller transmitter tower. This increased its power to 10,500 watts, allowing it to broadcast to all of the Parkland College 505 District. Newer equipment was added, and analog systems were moved out for digital ones to keep up to date with changing technology. Eventually, a new all-music format of indie-alternative rock was settled on. While all of these changes were being made, one thing was not. WPCD is still a learning lab with the best equipment, software, and operating procedures for students interested in pursuing an education or career in Mass Media, Broadcast Communications, or Audio Production. WPCD is staffed and operated by students in the COM 141 and 142 courses and overseen by staff and interns. The station is now fully automated and broadcasts 24 hours a day on 88.7 FM or worldwide via streaming at wpcd.parkland.edu.