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Thursday, September 15, 1977
University Daily Kansan
KANU celebrates 25 years of broadcasting
Bv DERIC GILLIARD
Staff Writer
After 25 years of service to KU and the surrounding community, public radio station KANU FM-91.5 continues to expand and experiment to provide listeners with superior programming, Howard Hill, KANU director, said yesterday.
Station KANU first went on the air at 1:45 pm, on Sept. 15, 1982, but only after five years of planning and a private donation of $12,000 worth of radio equipment.
KANU came into existence at a critical time in radio history, Hill said.
"We are an FM station, and FM had become a victim of television and was having a difficult time selling advertisements," he said.
He said that because FM stations were able to broadcast stereo and AM stations were not,FM began to develop listeners who could not be satisfied by any other medium. More listeners meant more underwriters, he said.
KANU cannot broadcast advertisements because it is a public radio station, and it is illegal for a public radio station to sell advertisements. Instead, it is funded by underwriters, whose names are announced at the beginning and end of each program.
BECAUSE IT IS a public radio station, it also is federally funded.
also is resited for a FM station. Hillas助KANU became an FM station central and western Kansas AM frequencies were full when KANU came on the air.
"It was probably a blessing in disguise that KANU went FM," he said. FM caught on because people in the '60s began buying FM radios so they could listen to the same quality of music they received from their records.
Hill said that in 1967 Congress passed the Public Broadcasting Act, which provided
money for stations to increase their power and for new stations to be formed.
In 1970 KANU became licensed as a National Public Radio Station, enabling it to receive an $81,000 grant from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. It was then able to purchase completely new equipment.
Dick Wright, KANU's associate director,
became director in 1970.
"One of our biggest problems at that time was gaining recognition from the University."
One of Wright's pet projects after KANU became recognized was to create a program to be transmitted to the blind. He said that a friend of his had come up with the idea, but that he told her it would be impossible to equip the radio station had at the time.
"SHE ASKED me what I needed; then she went out and bought a $26,000 transmitter," Wright said.
Wright said that KANU broadcasts to the blind on a sub-channel while broadcasting the regular show over the normal channel.
Regular show over the last half a month.
We loan out these special radios to the
saan
KANU plays classical, jazz and bluegrass music, and has two news and arts reporting programs“‘KANU Almanac’”and“All Things Considered.”
blind and handicapped free of charge," he said.
Wright said that KANU recently underwent a format change. It used to feature strictly classical music in the mornings, but now classical, jazz and bluegrass are
played.
Although KANU's anniversary is today,
the actual celebration won't be until October
3th.
8n. Hill said the two-day celebration would include specially aired programs featuring people from outside the station.
"Since we're doing special programs, we want to attract the news listeners. Frankly, though, I didn't want to do this during the new television season because even people that don't watch TV will be trying to see what new shows are coming on," he said.
LAST SPRING listeners pledged $30,000 to the continued support of the station. KANU' goal was $25,000.
"we knew we had a large and supportive audience—this only proves it," he said.
KINKO'S
Hill said that the overwhelming response of KANU's listeners showed that they were behind KANU's bid to continue broadcasting the best programming possible.
Now Open
COPIES
STATIONERY
KODAK FILM
During KAUU's fund raising drive, which began Feb. 28 and lasted a week, the group was one of the largest donors.
"As a test we signed on at 6 a.m., instead of
7. We asked the audience if they wanted us to continue coming on at 6, and the overwhelming majority said 'yes.'"
904 Vermont • 843-8019
KANU, which broadcasts until 2 each morning, now signs on the air at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday.
Wright said that KANU was one of the "five or six biggest radio stations in the country," and that it had gone from a staff of four, or five full time employees to 11.
"After 10 years I can honestly say I
want my enthusiasm for this radio
station," Wheeler said.
Handcrafted Jewelry in Casbah,803 Mass.
Moagger Moore as 007
"THE SPY WHO LOVED ME"
Eve. 7:30 & 9:30 Sat.Sun. 1:30
PG Granada
How Many Times Have You Seen . .
"STAR WARS"
Don't Miss Any of it!
Eve. 7:30, 9:30 Sat.Sun. 1:30
PG Varsity
It's the Big
"KING KONG" Plus LIFEGUARD Box opens 7:30 Showtime Dusk
PG Sunset
Laugh 'll Hurt HURTS!
THE RETURN OF THE PINK Panther"
"THE PINK PAMTHER STRIKES AGAIN"
"Return." Eve. 7:35, Sat.Sun. 1:30
"Again." Eve. 7:35, Sat.Sun. 1:30
PG Hillcrest
Burt Reynolds
Jackie Oleason
Smokey and the Bandit
Eve. 7:35, 9:35 Sat.Sun. 2:00
PG Hillcrest
STEVE DUSTIN McQUEEN HOFFMAN
PAPILLON
The Greatest Story of Escape
Eve. 7:35 & 9:35 Sat.Sun. 1:30
PG Hillcrest
Is Charlie's X-''Angel'' Now X-Rated?
Mae West Raquel Welch
"MYRA BRECKENRIDGE"
with Farrah Fawcet Majors
[Maybe this time you won't see something besides her hair.]
A very strange movie with some very sexy ladies. . . .
X
FRIDAY & SATURDAY BOX OFFICE OPENS AT NIGHTS—12:15  Hillcrest 11:45
MECHA
The Chicano/Latino Student Organization invites you to a free program and dance commemorating Mexican Independence Day September 16 Activities start at 7:00 p.m. in the Kansas Room of the Union Dance at 9:00 Cash Bar Provided
AFRICAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
SUBJECT: "THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIANITY ON AFRICA"
DATE: Saturday, September 17 at 10 A.M.
PLACE: Kansas Union
- Dr. Charles Stewart, Professor and Former Missionary in Zaire
LEADERSHIP: • Ranking Officials from the Embassies of Kenya and Sudan
You are invited
save time...shop quick and easy on campus
What makes the Union Bookstore unique? We are in business to serve you, the student. This semester we want to help your busy life run smoothly by extending our hours to better suit your needs. Take advantage of these new hours for convenient service-right on campus.
New Bookstore Hours
Monday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30-9:00 p.m. (new)
Wednesday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:30-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00-4:00 p.m. (new)
Game Days: 10:00-5:00 p.m. (new)
Sunday:
2:00-5:00 p.m. (new)
Schedule change begins Saturday, Sept. 17.
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