- University News Archive - UA ��Ƶlogo

UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio begins Fall Fund Drive with sweet treats at Loblolly Creamery

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:18:10 +0000

, home of KUAR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, will kick off its annual Fall Fund Drive with an ice cream fundraiser Sunday, Oct. 6.�� Loblolly Creamery, 1423 S Main St. in ��Ƶlogo, will host the public radio fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Public radio fans can try a featured This AmeriCONE Life sundae with All Toppings Considered or order their favorite flavors.�� Loblolly Creamery will donate 10 percent of all sales and $1 from each special sundae to UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio. All proceeds will support the reporting, music, and cultural programming on central Arkansas’s two public radio stations.�� Public radio staff members will be on site from 6-7 p.m., including Sarah Kellogg, host of “Morning Edition,” Daniel Breen, host of “All Things Considered,” and News Director Michael Hibblen. UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio has a goal of raising $100,000 during its Fall Fund Drive, which runs Saturday, Oct. 5, to Friday, Oct. 11. Donors may be eligible for thank-you gifts, including “Public Radio Nerd” pint glasses, tickets to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and a copy of “Big Taste of ��Ƶlogo.” For more information, contact KUAR at 501-569-8485 or events@kuar.org. Visit the UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio.

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/KUAR will host the third annual event on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, to celebrate public radio and to raise funds for UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio stations KUAR 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 ��Ƶlogo. 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 ��Ƶlogo. Nearly 70 percent of KUAR’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 . UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio is a public service of the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo. Its two stations, KUAR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, provide news and cultural programming to 84,000 people each week throughout Arkansas. KUAR is central Arkansas’s NPR station, and KLRE is the only radio station is Arkansas dedicated to classical music programming.

UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio exceeds fall fundraising goal

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

, home of KUAR 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, UA ��Ƶlogo 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 UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio stations KUAR 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.” UA ��Ƶlogo 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.

UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio’s Nathan Vandiver honored with Young Nonprofits Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 17:48:44 +0000

Nathan Vandiver, interim general manager and program director for, was honored with the YNPN ��Ƶlogo 20 over 20 award winners were announced at YNPN ��Ƶlogo’s CEO Talk Show on Oct. 5. The award was created to celebrate the accomplishments of nonprofit professionals over the age of 20 and establish them as the sector’s emerging or current leaders. “This is an honor, and I appreciate the gesture,” Vandiver said. “As someone who works in the nonprofit world, it makes total sense that KUAR/KLRE would be interested in the work of young nonprofit professionals. I admire the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network for the work they do developing up and coming talent in the nonprofit community.” Vandiver received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from UA ��Ƶlogo in 2011. He started his career at UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio as an intern in the spring 2009 semester. After a successful internship, he was hired as a full-time reporter and anchor. Vandiver was promoted to interim program director in 2013 and then interim general manager in 2016. Vandiver lives in ��Ƶlogo with his wife, Julie, and sons, Henry and Charlie. 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 for the public radio stations each day,” 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.” Vandiver also said he is impressed by his fellow award winners, who are doing a variety of work in nonprofit sectors across the board. “It was really inspiring to see all of the other people who were nominated, the things they are doing with other organizations and public health advocacy and public policy,” he said. “All across the board, everyone is doing some interesting work, and it’s inspiring to see all the other people who were nominated and how important the work we are doing is.” In the upper right photo,��YNPN-LR Board Chair James Rector (left) awards Nathan Vandiver (right) YNPN’s 20 over 20 Award.

UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio to host trivia night Sept. 9

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:36:26 +0000

UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio is giving its supporters a chance to show off their smarts and raise money for their favorite public radio stations at the same time.�� “People turn to KUAR to stay up with the news, and this is a way to test their knowledge of the news and other trivia matters,” said Vanessa McKuin, development director for UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio. “It’s a fun, laid back way to connect with other public radio listeners and support the programming that so many people love and depend on.” event will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, at American Pie Pizza, 4830 North Hills Blvd., North ��Ƶlogo. American Pie Pizza also will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from the night to UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio. The Pub Quiz is a team trivia fundraiser for UA ��Ƶlogo 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. The event is sponsored by Challenge Entertainment and American Pie Pizza and hosted by the Friends of KLRE/KUAR. Register. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin at 501-569-8485 or vanessa@kuar.org.

Hibblen to discuss book in Pen to Podium lecture series

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 14:08:42 +0000

, news director for UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio, will be the next speaker in the Arkansas State Archives’ Pen to Podium: Arkansas Historical Writers’ lecture series on Tuesday, Aug. 21.�� Hibblen will discuss his 2017 book “Rock Island Railroad in Arkansas” from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Diamond Room at the Department of Arkansas Heritage, 1100 North St., ��Ƶlogo. For nearly 80 years, the Rock Island was a major railroad in Arkansas, providing passenger and freight services. A decline in rail travel after World War II and an increase in trucks hauling freight over government-subsidized interstates were among factors in the railroad’s struggles and eventual closure in 1980. Most of the tracks that traversed the state were taken up, but a few relics, like the ��Ƶlogo passenger station and the Arkansas River bridge, remain as monuments to this once great railroad. A native of North ��Ƶlogo, Hibblen started in radio in 1988. After a 1993 internship at the C-SPAN Cable Network in Washington, D.C., he transitioned to news, working for commercial radio stations KARN in ��Ƶlogo, WRVA in Richmond, Virginia, and WIOD in Miami, Florida. In 2000, Michael became a Miami-based reporter for CBS Radio News. He was hired by the Miami Herald daily newspaper in 2003 when it partnered with NPR station WLRN providing its local news. Michael returned to ��Ƶlogo in 2009 to work for KUAR, where he is currently its news director. The Arkansas State Archives is a division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and is responsible for collecting and maintaining the largest collection of historical materials on Arkansas in the world.

Tiny Desk Arkansas event set for June 28

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 15:02:14 +0000

Three of central Arkansas’s best bands will perform Thursday, June 28, as part of NPR’s event.�� KUAR FM 89.1, central Arkansas’s NPR station, and its regional program, “Arts & Letters” has announced Black Horse, Monsterboy, and Dazz & Brie as the three groups selected for Tiny Desk Arkansas. KUAR News Director Michael Hibblen will serve as the night’s emcee. The event will be held from 8-11 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m., at Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave., ��Ƶlogo. The fundraiser showcases three central Arkansas groups who entered NPR’s national Tiny Desk Concert competition. Proceeds will support local music through KUAR and “Arts & Letters.” “These groups are fun and very talented and are all performing for a good cause – to help support both KUAR and ‘Arts & Letters,’ an award-winning show that provides opportunities for a celebration of the arts and humanities in our region and beyond,” said J. Bradley Minnick, executive producer and host of “Arts & Letters.” Black Horse, a progressive surf-punk rock band who performs with an electric energy influenced by the 1960s, will take the stage at 8 p.m., followed by Monsterboy at 9 p.m.

Dazz & Brie

Monsterboy consists of husband-and-wife duo Chris Long and Veronica Wirges of ��Ƶlogo, who combine smart, original vocals with powerful sax music. Monsterboy’s reputation was enhanced by their acoustic set at Bonnaroo 2017, where they were featured and interviewed on MTV.com. Dazz & Brie will finish off the night with a 10 p.m. performance. The group was named Arkansas Times’ 2017 Musicians Showcase winners, the 2018 Kit-Kat Jingle winners, as well as ML Magazine’s Rising Idol. Reservations. There will be a recommended donation of $10 at the door. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin, KUAR development director, at 501-569-8490 or svmckuin@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, Chris Long and Veronica Wirges of Monsterboy are shown.��Photo by Nelson Chenault.

UA ��Ƶlogo Public Radio to hold Public Radio Improv Night June 17

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 19:20:11 +0000

Friends and supporters of are invited to a radio-themed improv comedy show on Sunday, June 17.�� Public Radio Improv Night will begin at 7 p.m. at The Joint, 301 Main St. in North ��Ƶlogo. This special event will feature hilarious public-radio-themed improv from Improv ��Ƶlogo and special appearances by your favorite KUAR FM 89.1 hosts and producers. Tickets are $25 online and $35 at the door. Seating is limited. Reservations can be. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin, KUAR development director, at 501-569-8490 or svmckuin@ualr.edu.

UA ��Ƶlogo professor receives $50,000 for public radio program

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:16:59 +0000

A University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo professor has received a $50,000 commitment to create a partnership to continue a KUAR public radio show dedicated to humanities and literary arts in the South.�� The Arkansas Humanities Council signed a memorandum of understanding to award J. Bradley Minnick, associate professor in the Department of English, $10,000 a year for the next five years to continue the.�� “We want to highlight the intellectual work of the South, specifically the Arkansas and Mid-South region to share our rich tradition, history, and cultural production in our community,” Minnick said. Minnick is the executive producer and host of “Arts & Letters,” which airs at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month on KUAR to an audience of 8,000 to 12,000 listeners and is available for download as a podcast on artsandlettersradio.org, NPR, NPR One, Player FM, and iTunes. Now in its fourth season, “Arts & Letters” has aired more than 30 episodes. Episodes cover a wide range of arts and humanities topics from the to the search for in downtown ��Ƶlogo to the . The program also highlights the musical talents of central Arkansas and regional artists, who share their music. Minnick completes special four-minute episodes “Arts & Letters Shorts,” which highlight contributing musicians. In the upcoming season, viewers can look forward to an episode on spirit possession in the Arkansas Delta region as well a program about ��

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn visits UALR’s KUAR

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:02:43 +0000

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn visited the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo’s NPR station KUAR on Oct 19 during a cross-country road trip to visit more than 30 NPR stations in 11 states. While visiting with various NPR stations, Mohn is learning how NPR can best support station efforts and initiatives, as well as getting to know stations, staff, and the communities they serve, said Nathan Vandiver, interim general manager of KLRE/KUAR. “KUAR and its staff had a wonderful time visiting with Mr. Mohn and his wife, Pamela,” Vandiver said. “We all appreciate his efforts to increase the success of NPR and the greater public radio system. It was a great opportunity to discuss the direction of public radio and to share some of our successes with Mr. Mohn.” Mohn also met with Lisa Bond-Maupin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication, Christina Smith, director of development and external relations for the college, and Doug Clark, vice president of the board of directors of the Friends of KLRE/KUAR. Mohn also sat down for an to discuss the future of public radio.

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn visits with the staff of the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo’s NPR station KUAR on Oct 19 during a cross-country road trip to visit more than 30 NPR stations in 11 states.

- University News Archive - UA ������Ƶlogo

UA ������Ƶlogo Public Radio begins Fall Fund Drive with sweet treats at Loblolly Creamery

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

UA ������Ƶlogo Public Radio exceeds fall fundraising goal

UA ������Ƶlogo Public Radio’s Nathan Vandiver honored with Young Nonprofits Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award

UA ������Ƶlogo Public Radio to host trivia night Sept. 9