[12] On April 22, 1974, KNSU-AM went campus-wide on 640 kHz via carrier current, broadcasting primarily contemporary progressive rock from the Russell Library while it awaited an FM license.

[13] 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.

[14] Operating as KNWD-FM (the KNSU call letters having been previously claimed by Nicholls State University[10]), the student-run station officially went on air on September 30, 1975,[15] with the slogan "Creative FM Stereo 91.7.

[27] The station transmitter and antenna were initially installed atop Russell Library, operating at 10 watts ERP.

[36] In addition, the station airs student-written news reports and coverage of Northwestern Demons athletics and NSU events.

[43][44] KNWD organizes music festivals and concerts on campus featuring local performers, as well as national acts.

[45] 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.

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.