Morehead State Public Radio’s Fall Fundraiser and Membership Drive is September 21 – 25. The annual event invites listeners to support WMKY at 90.3FM, public radio from Morehead State University. Financial gifts support students, programming, and operations.
Supporters may also designate gifts to MSPR’s Enhancement Fund, providing scholarships to qualified students studying at Morehead State University. Established in 2022, the MSPR Enhancement Fund has awarded more than $36,000 in student scholarships.
Thanks to listener support, MSPR is enhancing its service to eastern Kentucky while expanding meaningful learning opportunities for Morehead State students as feature reporters, writers, producers, and announcers. Since 1965, more than eight hundred students have worked at WMKY, with many pursuing careers as leaders in broadcasting, communications, education, marketing, and public service.
“MSPR is continuing the tradition of involving students in every aspect of broadcasting,” said Paul Hitchcock, MSPR’s general manager. “Student learning is important to their career goals and vital to WMKY’s daily operations.”
Focused on service to the region, WMKY completed a major upgrade to its broadcast infrastructure this summer, improving the clarity and reliability of the station’s signal across eastern Kentucky. The project was the first major renovation of WMKY’s transmitter site and equipment in more than 30 years.
“The new transmitter and broadcast system gives the station an updated technical foundation to continue WMKY’s service to the region well into the future,” said Hitchcock.
WMKY utilized several grants for the comprehensive project. Support came from the Public Media Company through the Public Media Bridge Fund; Corporation for Public Broadcasting through the American Rescue Plan Stabilization Grant, Community Service Grant, and Radio Interconnection Grant; and Morehead State University.
“We were fortunate to have available funding for this complex technical upgrade,” said Hitchcock. “The grants helped us plan effectively to ensure we had the right equipment, service, and funding to complete the job.”
Recurring, sustaining gifts provides dependable funding for WMKY to invest in programming, cover operational costs, and provide hands-on learning for Morehead State University students throughout the year. Join WMKY’s Soundwave Society by making a sustaining gift during the fall fundraiser.
Financial gifts to the MSPR Fund support student work studies, operations, and programming. Gifts to MSPR’s Enhancement Fund provide scholarships to qualified students at Morehead State University. Gifts to either the MSPR Fund or the MSPR Enhancement Fund may be made online at: www.wmky.org
Listen to WMKY at 90.3FM, phone app, smart speaker, or online (www.wmky.org). For additional information, e-mail Paul Hitchcock at: p.hitchc@moreheadstate.edu or call 606.783.2334.