KSLU named medium market Radio Station of the Year
Contact: Christina Chapple
3/30/06
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KSLU IS STATION OF THE YEAR -- – KSLU 90.9FM, Southeastern Louisiana University’s public radio station, has been named medium market "Radio Station of the Year" by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters. Shown with the award are, from left, talk show host Rosa Mansur Dunn, Underwriting/Development Representative Liz Black, Engineer Steve Portier, Business Manager Mary Heleniak, and Interim General Manager Todd Delaney.
HAMMOND – KSLU 90.9FM, Southeastern Louisiana University’s public radio station, has been named medium market "Radio Station of the Year" by the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters.
The award, presented to radio stations that best exemplify LAB and broadcasting standards and practices, was announced at the association's annual Prestige Awards ceremony in Lafayette, March 23.
"KSLU’s primary mission is to serve the public,” said Interim General Manager Todd Delaney. “This award signifies our commitment to that mission and our dedication to train students in a professional environment. We believe this lays the groundwork for a future broadcast industry focused on community service."
“As the only public radio station on the north shore, KSLU answers the call to community service every day,” said President Randy Moffett, congratulating Delaney, Engineer Steve Portier, Business Manager Mary Heleniak, Underwriting/Development Representative Liz Black, and the student staff.
“From broadcasting Hurricane Katrina updates to ensuring a merry Christmas for underprivileged children, the station unquestionably has proven its dedication to the people of Hammond and the surrounding communities,” Moffett said.
KSLU stayed on the air around the clock before, during and after Hurricane Katrina, reporting the latest news and information and fielding calls from residents, students and emergency personnel. When the storm’s aftermath left the station without communications, the station teamed up with Northshore Broadcasting in Hammond to simulcast KSLU programming. KSLU staff also distributed 1,200 Eton emergency radios donated by National Public Radio to hurricane victims in hard hit areas in St. Tammany Parish and St. Bernard parishes, and opened its production room to local members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service who relayed critical information by ham radio to and from the State Emergency Preparedness Center in Baton Rouge.
In the community, KSLU frequently provides live broadcasts or music and sound system support for events. For instance, at the annual downtown Hammond luminary stroll and holiday caroling, the station provided photos with Santa Claus for participants, donating the proceeds to the CASA Kids Christmas, KSLU’s Christmas charity program.
The station has also produced Spanish audio CDs of institutional rules and regulations for the parents of Grace King High School students in New Orleans; edited and produced audio CDs for contestants in the university’s “Southeastern Star” talent competition; and supplied computers and recording equipment to Mandeville High School for an Internet-based radio station.
Public service programming at KSLU includes a number of programs developed and hosted by students, said Karen Fontenot, head of the Department of Communication, which oversees KSLU.
“KSLU gives communication majors and other Southeastern students the opportunity to be involved both on air and behind the scenes,” she said. “The experience the students get is amazing. I am so proud that their efforts contributed to this award.”
Student programming includes “The Latin Lunch Hour” developed and hosted by Tina Geneste of Amite; “The Whole Nine Yards” sports show, which was the brainchild of Student Sports Director John Dudek of New Orleans and is co-hosted by Jamie Boh of Covington; and “KSLU’s Bag of Blues” produced by Student Production Manager Clayton Cutrer of Loranger.
KSLU also airs Point of View with Rosa Dunn and KSLUs Morning Conversation, which provide campus and community news and information. The station also airs a morning news show and has also produced documentaries for the Southeastern Louisiana Writing Project. The documentaries include the award-winning The New Orleans Writing Marathon Revisited and the recent Katrina Stories, which compiled writings about the hurricane by area school children and Southeastern students.
Additional information about KSLU is available on the station’s web page, www.selu.edu/kslu.
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