Prior to 2006, WTKL was the student-run radio station at the university, when it was known as WUSM and later WSMU-FM; in conjunction with the sign-on of higher-power WUMD 89.3, UMass sold the 91.1 license to the Educational Media Foundation.

The station operated with 10 watts at 90.5 MHz[2] and broadcast from studios in the basement of the university residents' cafeteria before moving into the campus center.

[2][4] The station's early years featured a bumpy stretch in 1977, when the general manager and program director were forced out by the governing board over unstated allegations.

Through the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, WUSM obtained a hookup with ABC;[6] programming from the American FM Network began airing on the station on February 19, 1979.

[17] The sale was a notable step forward for EMF, which prior to acquiring WSMU-FM had little presence in New England due to the price and scarcity of stations in the area; it was also cited as the "first major foray" by FM Christian broadcasting into the region.