Goshen College might have only 1,000 students. But the tiny school just came home with a huge prize -- winner of best radio station in the country from schools of all sizes.

91.1 The Globe is a radio station with history and ambition.

You don't have to look very far to see the number of students in Jason Samuel's radio class. And you don't have to listen very long to hear his pride: that the David known as Goshen College took out every Goliath in the country, regardless of school size.

"We have to get two sticks, and we're rubbing them together as fast as we can, for half an hour. We're gonna make fire, we're gonna cook a fantastic and delicious meal, but we don't have that luxury that some schools have, of walking up with a butane lighter and going click," said Samuel.

To get a sense of what Samuel is talking about, climb the spiral staircase to the studio, and check out how 91.1 The Globe keeps spinning.

Student credit Samuel with helping them make the most of their resources.

"We all came in here with a goal to be on the radio, and he just said well, ‘If you work hard, I'll develop your goals. I'll develop your skills, and you'll reach that goal. And the award that we won shows it," said Sports Director Benjamin Kelly.

But ask anyone at The Globe, and they will tell you what the trip to New York meant.

"It's huge to me, especially coming from Goshen," said Kelly.

Samuel says station history is something of utmost importance.

The station started in 1958, when the college wanted to broadcast chapel services. And their history is on prominent display with photographs that coat the walls.

Samuel explained, 'Think of a tree, somebody planted that seed, and along the way as it grew, people watered it, they pruned it, they cared for it. Quite honestly we're now at the point where that tree is providing shade."

The Globe plays a consistent genre of Americana music. And it's that consistency, students say, instead of the eclectic mix found on most college stations, that drives their programming.
Programming that put them in the national finals.

Kelly said, "Just going to New York was awesome enough. I didn't think we were going to win. And the fact that we actually won? Just icing on the cake."

Even now, faculty are chiming in.

One teacher said to Samuel, "Way to go! That's really pretty impressive."

Goshen students also won three individual nationwide first place prizes including for a sports program and even a one-hour music show.

The Globe broadcasts 60 miles in most directions.

If you cannot get them in your car on 91.1 FM, their station's mix of news weather and sports streams online. Just visit their website by clicking on the Big Red Bar.