WKMS, the public radio station at Murray State University, will kick off its 50th anniversary celebrations by hosting an evening with NPR’s Robert Siegel at Wrather Auditorium on campus at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12. It is a free event thanks to Murray State University’s Town & Gown.
Siegel recently retired after more than 40 years at NPR as a reporter, news director and host of “All Things Considered,” heard weekdays on WKMS from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
While at NPR, Siegel reported stories and happenings all over the globe, from a variety of locations across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. While in Murray he’ll discuss the history of NPR (insights from the inside), and his experiences in journalism.
“We’re so lucky and thrilled that Robert is making the trip to Murray to celebrate with our community of listeners,” said Chad Lampe, WKMS station manager. “Robert is a public radio icon with stories many listeners will want to hear at this free event.”
The night is also the opening of “The History of WKMS: The First 50 Years,” an exhibit created by WKMS Staff and Dr. Sean J. McLaughlin‘s Intro to Public History class. Visitors will see old photos, vintage equipment and tons of memories on display through May in Wrather Auditorium’s exhibit space.
There will be other 50th Anniversary celebration events in 2020, including a Swing into Swing jazz concert and broadcast, a 1970s Trivia with MCLIB in Paducah and a big 50th Anniversary Party at the Carson Center in Paducah.
The station is also broadcasting “50 Stories for 50 Years,” a weekly highlight of historical stories as told by the people who lived them, including the birth of “The Thoroughbred Hour,” when the radio station moved sites from Wilson Hall to the Fine Arts Building, and when WKMS was the only radio broadcast outlet to provide the Watergate Hearings.
Anyone with a story to tell about listening to WKMS is asked to leave a message at 270-809-2070.
