In 1955, Kappa Delta Pi fraternity put up funds to assist the Department of Speech and Drama to found an educational radio station at the University of Virginia. George P. Wilson, professor of Speech and Drama, was the original faculty sponsor of WTJU (he also founded WUVA ten years earlier). UVA students began limited broadcasting from WTJU "studios" in 1957.

From 1968 until 1993 WTJU was a University Contracted Independent Organization (CIO) administered through Student Council. In 1986 WTJU was given special CIO status and allowed to have up to 3/5 of the Board be members of the community reflecting the increased participation of community members at WTJU. The WTJU Board was then reporting to Associate Dean of Students, Ron Stump. In 1987, The University of Virginia Committee for WTJU was formed, initiated by Dean Stump and Professor Bernard Mayes.

In 1992 a decision was made by the executive branch of the University to hire a manager for WTJU. In 1993, Chuck Taylor was hired as manager and WTJU became a department within the Dean of Students Office. In 1996 Dean Stump left the University and WTJU's Board reported to Robert Canavari, Dean of Students. In late 1996, WTJU began reporting directly to William Harmon, Vice President of Student Affairs. WTJU continues to this day within the Division of Student Affairs, now reporting to Vice President Patricia Lampkin.

For more on the history of WTJU, go to our history page.