The Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust, a longtime supporter of Little Rock Public Radio, has awarded the organization a grant worth nearly $50,000 to purchase new studio equipment. This grant marks a pivotal moment for Little Rock Public Radio, signaling a commitment to continue delivering high-quality programming and enhancing the listener experience.

“Little Rock Public Radio is extremely grateful for the generous grant we received from the Sturgis Foundation for needed studio updates,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “This grant will significantly enhance our ability to further our mission of providing quality news and cultural programming to our community.”

The Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust was established in 1981 to support and promote quality educational, cultural, human services, and health care programming for all people.

With state-of-the-art equipment on the horizon, Little Rock Public Radio is primed to elevate its broadcasting standards and continue serving its community with excellence. Little Rock Public Radio has two stations, K����Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical FM 90.5, which serve more than 80,000 listeners every week through radio broadcasts, web streaming, and online visits to ualrpublicradio.org.

“With this support, we will be able to improve our equipment and technology in our production studios, ensuring uninterrupted service and a better listening experience for our audience,” Seaborn said. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sturgis Foundation for their invaluable contribution to our station and the community we serve.”

Little Rock Public Radio is a listener-supported public service department at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. KLRE’s music programming is the only source for classical music on the radio in central Arkansas, while NPR’s “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered,” “Fresh Air,” and local programs like “Arts & Letters” and reporting from the K����Vlog��ýR newsroom have long been a key part of Arkansas’s cultural and informational landscape.

“We thank the Sturgis Foundation for their continued contributions to Little Rock Public Radio,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “With this gift, they ensure broadcast improvements to support the quality news and programming on which our community relies.”

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The substantial donation comes at a key time for the classical music station, which is in need of equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at the site of KLRE’s transmitter.

“We have an anonymous donor who knows about these issues and cares very much about preserving KLRE for future generations,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “In the future, we will probably need between $250,000 and $500,000 to complete the needed repairs at the transmitter site. This gift allows us to get started on the work and is a huge step in the right direction for KLRE.”

Little Rock Public Radio had already started work by removing overgrown trees that were in danger of hitting KLRE’s transmitter during storms. The unexpected gift ensures that listeners will continue to enjoy the rich tapestry of classical music, reaffirming the station’s vital role in the community’s cultural landscape.

“This gift means a lot to us at Little Rock Public Radio, especially knowing that someone out there cares so much about classical music in Arkansas,” Seaborn said. “Most people would guess that classical music isn’t always commercially viable, even though it brings immense joy and culture to the world. We need the support of the community to ensure continued access to the arts in communities that otherwise wouldn’t have access. We are excited to be good stewards of this gift and want to bring quality classical music to central Arkansas for decades to come.”

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of K����Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of the University of Arkansas at 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.

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“As ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio reaches its golden anniversary, we take a moment to reflect on the impact it has had on our community over the past 50 years,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “From music and news to community events and local stories, the station has been a staple in Arkansas, connecting people through the power of radio.”

The 2023 Spring Fund Drive will run from March 13-17. ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio has a goal of raising $100,000 and adding 100 new sustaining members to their loyal group of supporters.

To make your donation even more impactful, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio has secured a generous matching donation from several community partners. For every dollar you donate during the fund drive, it will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your contribution.

Donors who give during the spring fund drive may qualify for an NPR water bottle, tickets to Colony House at The Hall, Arkansas Ballet tickets, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra tickets, and other great giveaways.

“Your support will help us continue to bring you the news you trust from K����Vlog��ýR and the classical music you hold dear on KLRE,” said Grace Zafasi, membership director at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “We are committed to providing quality programming without interruption, and our fund drives are our way of raising the money we need to keep our station running. We would love for you to join us in celebrating 50 years of public radio in central Arkansas and to support us in our mission to provide high-quality programming for many more years to come.”

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.

To make a donation during the spring fund drive, please call 501-916-6400 or give online at .

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