NWPR to manage college radio station in Lakewood

By Communications staff, Washington State University

PULLMAN – New opportunities for faculty, staff and students are anticipated after June, when Northwest Public Radio (NWPR) will assume responsibility for the programming and operations of KVTI, 90.9 FM, at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. The 51,000 watt transmitter reaches listeners in three counties from Olympia to Seattle.

NWPR is a community service of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.

“This radio service will be the foundation from which we hope to build our presence in the Tacoma-Seattle metro area,” said Lawrence Pintak, Murrow College dean.

The partnership will ensure that Clover Park maintains its radio station while opening doors for CPTC students to tap into WSU’s extensive transfer opportunities, said Clover Park President John Walstrum.

Clover Park chose NWPR to assume management after closing its radio broadcast program in response to state budget cuts.

“I am pleased that Northwest Public Radio will serve the listening needs of our community while WSU will assist us in meeting the educational needs of our students,” Walstrum said.

NWPR is a non-profit, listener-supported public radio service heard on 13 stations across Washington, Idaho, Oregon and southern British Columbia, and online at www.nwpr.org.

“Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms and other favorite composers will be presented by world-class performers every weekday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and again from 7 p.m. overnight on KVTI,” said station manager Kerry Swanson. “Listeners will also hear Morning Edition and All Things Considered among other NPR news magazines and talk programs.”
WSU President Elson S. Floyd said the agreement will strengthen WSU’s statewide commitment to public broadcasting.
“Because Northwest Public Radio is an established regional and national news service, listeners in Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle will have an even closer connection to people and places from northwest Washington to Idaho and Oregon. We appreciate the strong support for public broadcasting in the greater Puget Sound area and we look forward to continuing to build the audience for NPR (National Public Radio) and Northwest Public Radio,” Floyd said.