In 2011, I wrote about the heroic efforts in 2006 that resulted in college radio station WUEV being saved from a potential sale by University of Evansville. It was a shining example of how an open-minded university president involved students, alumni and fans of college radio station WUEV in the discussion about its future. The happy ending was meant to serve as an example to other stations on how to maintain a positive relationship with one’s campus and license-holder. Imagine my dismay, when I read this week that WUEV’s FM license may be up for sale.
Details are sketchy, but the Evansville Courier & Press reported earlier this week that the outgoing University of Evansville President Tom Kazee (who has been in this role since 2010) has stated that the school is speaking with a “potential buyer.” Kazee’s term ends on May 31, which no doubt adds to WUEV supporters’ anxiety about the station’s future. The university’s new president, Christopher Pietruszkiewicz, starts on July 1.
According to the article, “‘What’s in play here is the license,’ Kazee said. ‘We’re basically trying to decide what the future of WUEV should be. We have the option of selling that license. We also have some other options we’re looking at right now.'”
14 News reports that, “A petition has been circulating to keep the station intact and Alumni are sending emails to the current president.” Rumors have been swirling on social media that one interested buyer is a Christian radio broadcaster. Others have mentioned a possible deal with a local public radio station.
We will continue to follow this story as it develops.
More College Radio News
Station Sales?
Future of WUEV Being Considered by University of Evansville; Sale Possible (Evansville Courier & Press)
Alumni Worried about Possible Sale of WUEV (14News)
WUEV on the Sale Block? (WABX)
Is Another College Radio FM Sale in the Works? (Radio & Television Business Report)
Future of WCBU Public Radio Appears Questionable (Peoria Journal Star)
DJs in Peril: Incidents with Listener and Police
Overnight Student DJ Ordered to Ground at Gunpoint by UOPD (KVAL)
Students Not Happy with Way that Campus Racism is Being Handled (The Tab)
Airplay on Campus
KUCI Deserves More Bus Airplay (New University)
Industry
Meet one of Radio’s Most Influential Women: Heather Birks of BEA (Radio Ink)
Awards and Accolades
University of Mississippi Students Win Journalism Awards at Various Conferences (HottyToddy)
Rowan Radio Recognized with Hermes, Communicator Awards (Rowan Today)
History
Massachusetts Hip Hop Archive Started with Materials from WMBR and WZBC Radio Shows (Boston Patch)
Events
CFBX Record Fair Returns (the Omega)
IBS Announces Fall Conferences (Intercollegiate Broadcasting System)
Upcoming Radio Events/Conferences
July 12-15, 2018: College Media Mega Workshop, University of Minnesota, MN
July 19-21, 2018: NFCB Regional Summit, Charlottesville, VA
Sept. 20-22, 2018: NFCB Regional Summit, Santa Rosa, CA
Oct. 5-7, 2018: Grassroots Radio Conference, Portland, OR
October 20, 2018: IBS/Columbia College Chicago Radio/Webcasting Conference, Chicago, IL
Oct. 25-27, 2018: CBI’s National Student Electronic Media Convention, Seattle, WA
November 3, 2018: IBS/Simmons College Radio/Webcasting Conference, Boston, MA
December 1, 2018: IBS West Coast Conference, Southern California
March 1-3, 2019: 79th Annual International IBS Conference, New York, NY
April 6-9, 2019: BEA2019 Convention, Las Vegas, NV
April 6-11, 2019: NAB Show, Las Vegas, NV
Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2019: CBI’s National Student Electronic Media Convention, St. Louis, MO
