- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio Receives Anonymous $1.5 Million Donation

John Hill — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 15:07:06 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Public Radio, home of K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is closing its annual fall fund drive off on a high note with an anonymous donation of $1.5 million, the largest cash gift in ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio history. “This gift is a wonderful testament to the impact of public radio,” said Nathan Vandiver, general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “The generosity of this anonymous gift is considerable. On behalf of the staff and listeners of KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR, I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the donor. The stations will use this gift to strengthen and expand their services as the region’s NPR news and information provider, classical music radio station, and as a local and regional news organization.” The anonymous gift comes on the final day of the drive and represents 10 times the drive’s fundraising goal of $150,000. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio also raised $100,000 by 8 a.m. Oct. 8, bringing the drive’s running fundraising total to $1.6 million. More than 80,000 people listen to K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE every week. Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service unit of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production. “We are elated at this news,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “The staff of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR work tirelessly to provide quality news, programs, and music to central Arkansas. This operational gift ensures the continuity of these efforts and underscores their essentiality.”

Mary Waldo, a former K��Vlog��ýR staff member, right, reacts in joy with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio General Manager Nathan Vandiver, left, after learning of a $1.5 million dollar gift to the station. Photo by Ben Krain.

The ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio Operating Endowment will provide an ongoing stream of operating funds to support the public radio stations for generations to come. The endowment is expected to provide around $60,000 per year to support the reporting, music, and cultural programming on central Arkansas’s two public radio stations. “This generous endowment provides both stability and a steady revenue source that allows us to plan for the future of K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE,” said Christian O’Neal, vice chancellor for university advancement. “This anonymous donation will leave a lasting impact on public radio in our community for years to come.” K��Vlog��ýR 89.1 is a National Public Radio affiliate and has been here to report on the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of vaccines, the huge economic challenges, the contentious election process, the great disruptions to education, the renewed focus on justice and equity, and much more. KLRE Classical 90.5 is Arkansas’s only classical FM radio station and continues to offer listeners a reliable, welcoming oasis of inspiration, peace, and joy.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio holds Spring Fund Drive

John Hill — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 22:01:03 +0000

, home of K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5,��is kicking off its spring fundraising drive from April 12-16.�� Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio’s spring campaign goal is to raise $100,000. All proceeds will support the reporting, music, and cultural programming on central Arkansas’s two public radio stations. K��Vlog��ýR 89.1 has been here to report on the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of vaccines, the huge economic challenges, the contentious election process, the great disruptions to education, the renewed focus on justice and equity, and much more. KLRE Classical 90.5 continues to offer listeners a reliable, welcoming oasis of inspiration, peace, and joy. For more information, call 501-916-6400 or email donations@kuar.org. Visit the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio . Some donors will receive a Public Radio Tote Bag.

K��Vlog��ýR wins 10 awards from Society of Professional Journalists

John Hill — Tue, 11 Aug 2020 21:20:24 +0000

News reports and two local programs aired on ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio station K��Vlog��ýR 89.1 FM won 10 awards in the 2020 competition of the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists.�� “It’s extremely gratifying to see the hard work of the K��Vlog��ýR news staff be recognized by our peers,” said Michael Hibblen, news director at K��Vlog��ýR. “At a time when the news industry is contracting and there are fewer sources for objective news, especially local news, I think the work that we do is more important than ever. It’s great to be honored.” Nathan Vandiver, general manager of K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE, thanked the award-winning reporters for providing an essential service to keep the public informed. “This recognition from SPJ is an honor,” Vandiver said. “Every day K��Vlog��ýR provides an essential service to the community that informs and educates, and it’s very nice to be recognized. Thank you to Michael and the K��Vlog��ýR news department for their work and to our ��Vlog��ý Little Rock partners who have also been recognized with awards.” In the News-Radio category, Daniel Breen, host of “All Things Considered,” won first place for his report, “.” Breen also won second place in that category for the report, “In Arkansas, Herbicide’s Damaging Effects Bring Research to a Halt.” Sarah Kellogg, K��Vlog��ýR “Morning Edition” host, won third place for “Gov. Asa Hutchinson Sets Broadband Access as Priority.” In the Feature-Radio category, former K��Vlog��ýR News intern Kelly Connelly, who graduated from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock with a degree in mass communication in May, won first place for her report last fall “Livestock Showing Is Most Important Part of State Fair for Some Arkansas Teens.” Hibblen and David Monteith, reporter, won second place for their report, “Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Nearing Completion of Digital Rollout.” In the Politics-Radio category, Hibblen won first place for “Legislation to Place statues of Johnny Cash, Daisy Bates in U.S. Capitol Signed Into Law.” That included a report for K��Vlog��ýR and a segment in the music program “Not Necessarily Nashville” with Flap Jones.�� Second place went to Breen for “Arkansas House Committee Approves Execution Drug Secrecy Bill,” while third place went to Hibblen for “Arkansas Governor Says Trump Impeachment Questions Need To Be Answered.” Hibblen won the Health-Radio category for his report, “Doctor Assisting Qualified Arkansans To Get Marijuana Offers His Advice and Concerns.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock associate professor of English and host of K��Vlog��ýR’s program “Arts & Letters” Dr. J. Bradley Minnick won first place in the Documentary/Investigative Reporting-Radio for his show “They Like My Phras’n: The Life & Music of Rose McCoy.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio receives nearly $37k grant from Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust

John Hill — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:24:42 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Public Radio has received a grant of $36,681 from the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, for equipment upgrades for KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR.�� “The generosity of the Sturgis Trust of Arkadelphia will help KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR acquire much-needed operational equipment that will help us maintain more consistent high-quality broadcasts from both the K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE FM and HD signals,” Vandiver said. “We sincerely thank the Sturgis Trust, whose gift will benefit the KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR listening audiences for years to come.” The Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust was established in 1981 to support and promote quality educational, cultural, human services, and health care programming for all people. “For me, public radio provides news I know I can trust,” said Lisa Speer, trustee and administrator of the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust. “Today, we are inundated with information from a variety of sources, not all of them credible, and it has gotten increasingly more difficult to differentiate reliable news sources from sources that are merely based on opinion. When I tune into public radio, I know that I am getting information that I can count on to be as fair and unbiased as possible.” The Sturgis Trust is gifting ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio with $28,718 for a backup generator for KLRE Classical 90.5, which will allow listeners uninterrupted access to their music during power outages. The 40,000-watt tower that broadcasts KLRE, is located at Metropolitan Career-Technical Center in Little Rock. The new generator will be installed in June. “Power outages cause KLRE service disruptions an average of six times per year,” Vandiver said. “A propane-powered backup generator at KLRE tower would allow for uninterrupted KLRE broadcast during Entergy service outages.” Additionally, the Sturgis Trust has also donated $7,963 for a second air conditioner to cool the equipment that transmits K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1. A new HVAC system has already been installed at Shinall Mountain in West Little Rock, where the radio station’s tower and transmitter are located. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Its two stations, K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, provide news and cultural programming to 84,000 people each week throughout Arkansas. K��Vlog��ýR is central Arkansas’s NPR station and KLRE is the only FM radio station in Arkansas dedicated fully to classical music programming. Roy Sturgis was one of 10 children of an Arkansas farmer and homemaker. In 1933, Roy Sturgis married Texas native Christine Johns. They became very successful in the timber, lumber, and sawmill industries in Arkansas. They were passionate about educational opportunities for young people and supported organizations working in the areas of health, social services, and the arts. Speer, who is an active K��Vlog��ýR listener, said the engaging programming presented on public radio is one of the reasons it’s important to support public radio in Arkansas. “I also love the variety of programming on K��Vlog��ýR,” Speer said. “It’s engaging programming that makes me feel like I am part of a larger conversation in a way that other radio stations do not. When I listen to K��Vlog��ýR, I always learn something; and I am frequently challenged to think about situations from other perspectives that I might not have otherwise considered. I sing, laugh, and cry depending on what I’m listening to at the moment. If you are not a public radio listener, you are missing out.”

Vandiver named general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 19:53:55 +0000

Nathan Vandiver has been named general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio, home of K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5.�� “I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Vandiver said. “Public radio is an essential media service for our community, and I am honored to be able to lead this organization. I look forward to continuing the work of our staff and the Friends of K��Vlog��ýR/KLRE board has done these past three years to grow our service and find new ways to engage with our community.” Vandiver, who also works as the program director, has served as the interim general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio since 2016. He is responsible for developing and maintaining program policy, supervising programming staff, selecting on-air programming, and overseeing the quality of on-air sound. “During this time, he has led the radio station in a strong and positive direction, and I very much appreciate his continued leadership,” said Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication. “I will look forward to seeing our public radio continue to thrive under his guidance in the many years to come.” During his time as interim general manager, Vandiver has overseen upgrades to KLRE’s and K��Vlog��ýR’s control rooms with new broadcast consoles and audio control systems, expanded development efforts with an increased focus on major and planned gifts, and two years of significant growth in revenue from underwriting and individual giving. Vandiver received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2011. He started his career at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio as an intern in the spring 2009 semester. After a successful internship, he was hired as a part-time reporter and anchor. Vandiver was promoted to program director in 2013. Vandiver lives in Little Rock with his wife, Julie, and sons, Henry and Charlie.�� “I began my journey in radio as a listener,” Vandiver said. “I found public radio at a time in my life when I was seeking a broader perspective on how the world around me worked. My experience at K��Vlog��ýR began with an internship. As a university licensee at the state’s only metropolitan university, I look forward to providing similar opportunities for students to learn broadcasting and journalism through internships at a professional media setting.” Last year, Vandiver was honored with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award. The award celebrates the accomplishments of nonprofit professionals over the age of 20 and establishes them as emerging or current leaders in the nonprofit sector. Vandiver said the key to success for a nonprofit organization is focusing on the people the nonprofit serves and carrying out the organization’s mission. “As a public radio station, we keep our listeners first and foremost in our minds when we make decisions,” he said. “To connect to other nonprofits, keeping those we serve in the forefront of our minds is the key to success and not losing sight of our mission. While public media stations like KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR are essential public services, we must continue to work to build them up, tell their stories and expand their services.”

K��Vlog��ýR pub quiz team sign-up deadline May 17

Janea Snyder — Thu, 16 May 2019 06:04:01 +0000

is giving its supporters a chance to show off their smarts and raise money for their favorite public radio stations at the same time at a Pub Quiz fundraiser on Sunday, May 19. Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR will host the event at , 4830 North Hills Blvd., North Little Rock. Doors open at 2 p.m., and the quiz starts at 2:30 p.m. Questions will be general trivia, including general knowledge, pop culture, current events, and a special public radio-themed round. Teams can until Friday, May 17. “We’re excited to partner again with Challenge Entertainment and American Pie Pizza to present K��Vlog��ýR’s Pub Quiz,” said Vanessa McKuin, development director for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “The Pub Quiz is a fun way for K��Vlog��ýR listeners to support ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio with fellow K��Vlog��ýR fans and to test their news nerd acumen at a laid-back event. There’s trivia for everyone.” The Pub Quiz is a team trivia fundraiser, and teams can have two, four, five, six, eight, or ten players. The cost is $15 per person. American Pie Pizza will donate 10 percent of its sales from food and drinks to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin at 501-569-8485 or vanessa@kuar.org.

K��Vlog��ýR Pub Quiz Returns May 19

Tue, 14 May 2019 15:33:23 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio will host a Pub Quiz at American Pie Pizza at 4830 North Hills Boulevard in North Little Rock on Sunday, May 19, from 2-5:30 p.m. Join the Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR and Challenge Entertainment for a fun afternoon of food, drinks, and live trivia. Trivia will begin at 2:30 p.m. The Pub Quiz is a team trivia fundraiser for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. Questions will be a combination of news-related and general trivia questions. The cost is $15 per person. Teams can consist of two, four, five, six, or eight players. To attend, please register your team by Friday, May 17, by following . American Pie will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from the event to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock receives gift to encourage service learning in College of Social Sciences and Communication

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 17:10:53 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $37,500 gift to promote the importance of service learning in college education.�� John and Shannon Chamberlin of Little Rock have made the gift to create the Champions for Service Learning Fund that will benefit the College of Social Sciences and Communication at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Our interest in service learning stems originally from service-learning experiences Shannon had in college,” John Chamberlin said. “Because those experiences had such a transformative effect on her personally, she wanted the same for her students, so she assigned service learning in the writing courses she taught at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Her doctoral dissertation research centered on interviews with university faculty regarding their experiences with service learning. We hope that support from this fund will address some of the needs revealed through that research.” Shannon Chamberlin spent two summers during college working with the Dayton Urban Summer Project, living in a neighborhood settlement house in a distressed neighborhood. There were so many families living together in some of the neighboring houses that children had to sleep four to a bed in four-hour shifts. Children were turned out in the night to fend for themselves when it wasn’t their turn in the bed. Shannon’s assignment was to keep the children occupied and safe.” “My eyes were opened to the difficult lives some folks live, and I wanted to help make that better,” she said. “I also wanted to help bring others to that same realization and commitment. When I taught classes, I assigned service learning to encourage students to find ways to help others and to reflect upon and write about their experiences.” The fund will cover the cost of travel and conference fees for at least two faculty members a year from the College of Social Sciences and Communication to attend a service learning conference. “Our hope for this fund is to encourage and support faculty who aim to expand service-learning opportunities for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students,” the Chamberlins said. “Over time, we hope new Champions and those already assigning service learning will form a supportive learning community and that service learning will spread throughout ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus culture. The more service-learning opportunities students have, the better for them, for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and for our community.” Additionally, the gift will provide funding for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio stations K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE to run spots to showcase service-learning projects and to share learning outcomes with faculty and students. “Spots on K��Vlog��ýR radio will spotlight service-learning projects, faculty research in the field, and accomplishments of students and their community partners,” the Chamberlins said. “We hope these spots will act as encouragement by recognizing and valuing those involved and will also be regarded as models for others who might want to get engaged.” The Chamberlins, both former instructors at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, serve as inaugural members of the College of Social Sciences and Communication Dean’s Community Advisory Council. Additionally, Shannon also served on the Writing Council, Ottenheimer Library Board, Community Engagement Council, and is a lifetime member of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Alumni Association. Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication, said the gift will make an important impact on faculty and students. “In CSSC, we believe that the most important part of an education is deep learning. Faculty can make a tremendous difference in students’ lives by connecting the material of their discipline with service in the community,” Mirivel said. “Students can learn about the criminal justice system while mentoring young people and listening to their stories. In applied communication, students can learn to give an effective presentation about their community engagement with a non-profit. The gift will support the professional development of two CSSC faculty per year for the next five years so that they can deepen their teaching methods and incorporate service learning. In turn, they will improve the structure of their course with a service-learning component and create better learning for our students. This gift supports our mission to be excellent teachers who are also improving the community around us.”

Block, Beer & Bourbon returns in January to raise funds for public radio

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 18:21:12 +0000

The Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR will host the third annual event on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, to celebrate public radio and to raise funds for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio stations K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5. This year’s Block, Beer & Bourbon will take place 7-9:30 p.m. at the Albert Pike Masonic Center, 712 Scott St., in downtown Little Rock. Block, Beer & Bourbon showcases jazz artist Rodney Block, who will perform with the Rodney Block Collective, as well as a curated selection of beers and bourbons from O’Looney’s Wine and Liquor and food from The Pantry. This year’s event features a pre-party VIP reception from 6-7 p.m., a tour of the historic Albert Pike Masonic Center building, and exclusive tastes of extra rare bourbons and beers. “Block, Beer & Bourbon is a time to get together after the holidays and celebrate the support of our generous listening community,” Interim General Manager Nathan Vandiver said. “Public radio’s value comes from its steadfast focus on providing its listeners and its community with meaningful news, information and music that informs and educates. I look forward to celebrating that service with our listeners and our generous community partners Rodney Block, O’Looney’s Wine and Liquor and The Pantry.” Proceeds from Block, Beer & Bourbon support programming and operations of the two listener-supported public radio stations licensed to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Nearly 70 percent of K��Vlog��ýR’s and KLRE’s funding comes from listeners and businesses. General admission tickets are $75, while VIP Tickets are $150. Tables and sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin at 501-569-8485 or��vanessa@kuar.org. Purchase tickets or tables at . ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Its two stations, K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, provide news and cultural programming to 84,000 people each week throughout Arkansas. K��Vlog��ýR is central Arkansas’s NPR station, and KLRE is the only radio station is Arkansas dedicated to classical music programming.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio exceeds fall fundraising goal

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 14:11:14 +0000

, home of K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE, surpassed its fall drive fundraising goal of $100,000, earning $113,657 throughout its one-week 2018 Fall Fund Drive.�� Throughout the drive that ran Oct. 6-12, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio received donations from 620 people. Proceeds will go to support bringing news, culture, and powerful radio to central Arkansas. “Fund drives are essential to funding the news and programming that ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio stations K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE provide to central Arkansans,” Development Director Vanessa McKuin said. “Over half of the Fall Fund Drive donations came from new or lapsed members. We are thrilled that so many listeners were moved to contribute and help surpass the goal for this drive. Listeners are truly the heart of public radio.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is currently in its 45th year of existence. In 1973, KLRE FM 90.5 signed on the air at 3,600 watts mono. The station originally broadcast only on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Students in the Metropolitan Vocational Education Center’s radio classes ran most of the operations.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio Receives Anonymous $1.5 Million Donation

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio holds Spring Fund Drive

K����Vlog��ýR wins 10 awards from Society of Professional Journalists

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio receives nearly $37k grant from Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust

Vandiver named general manager of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio

K����Vlog��ýR pub quiz team sign-up deadline May 17

K����Vlog��ýR Pub Quiz Returns May 19

����Vlog��ý Little Rock receives gift to encourage service learning in College of Social Sciences and Communication