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Best in the Nation: WKAR Radio Earns Top Honor

WKAR

WKAR-FM at Michigan State in East Lansing, MI, was recently named Noncommercial Station of the Year by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The awards were announced October 1 at the 26th annual NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner and Show held in Atlanta, Georgia.

"The Marconi is the pinnacle award in the radio industry, and to be recognized by our commercial counterparts is truly an honor," said Gary Reid, WKAR Director of Broadcasting. "Receiving a major national award for what we've accomplished in mid-Michigan is a testament to the quality of our content and the contributions of our staff."

“WKAR is a key partner in offering internships and experiential learning that are integral to the educational mission of our college. A win for WKAR is a collective win for our students, our college and MSU,” said Prabu David, Dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. “We are very proud of their recent successes. Winning the Marconi is a major score in my book.”

Established in 1989 and named after inventor and Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi, the prestigious NAB Marconi Radio Awards recognize radio's outstanding personalities and stations. Finalists are selected by a task force of broadcasters, and the winners voted on by the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Selection Academy. For WKAR, the Marconi award proves attention to detail and a consistent quest for improvement pays off no matter whether it is music or talk-based programming. The station's commitment to quality, original content, and to hiring the best and brightest talent in the radio industry, is at the core of WKAR.

"It just goes to show where the leadership at the station is taking WKAR," said Al Martin, Producer and Host of WKAR “Current Sports.” Martin joined Reid in accepting the award at the ceremony in Atlanta. "To know that (WKAR) competes against any other programming in the country is ridiculously mind-blowing."WKAR-FM offers a combination of finely crafted programming in news, information, classical music and fine arts content."The classical and local news teams at WKAR-FM treat the audience with the utmost respect, while not losing sight of the fact that radio should be enjoyable," said Jamie Paisely, WKAR Radio Host and Fine Arts Producer.

Although this award is a win for the staff, Reid stressed that this recognition would not have been possible without the support of WKAR donors across Michigan. Peter Whorf, WKAR Radio Station Manager, agrees.

"To be honored with such an award is an affirmation of the unique partnership that public radio has with listeners," Whorf said. "Simply put, we couldn't do what we do without the generous and loyal support that so many have provided throughout the years. For that, we are most grateful."

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