Legendary broadcaster Carl Kasell, scorekeeper of National Public Radio’s (NPR) “Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me…,” and Sen. Howard H. Baker Jr. will join University of Tennessee, Knoxville, representatives to celebrate the 60th anniversary of WUOT at a by-invitation reception and program.
The radio station, located on the UT Knoxville campus, is East Tennessee’s premier public radio station and a charter member of NPR.
A special reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m program to follow on Tuesday, March 16 in the Toyota Auditorium of Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, 1640 Cumberland Ave.
In October 1949, the state’s first public radio station began broadcasting from the UT Knoxville campus. The campus’ students were advocates of a public radio station, led by the 1948-1949 student body president, Howard Baker Jr.
In the last 60 years, the station became a charter member of the National Public Radio network and was ranked in the top 10 percent of all public stations by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. More than 75,000 listeners in 33 East Tennessee counties tune in each week, making the station one of UT’s most valuable outreach and community education tools.
Baker will tell the participants about his favorite WUOT memories. Kasell will talk about his years in broadcasting and will take questions from the crowd.
Kasell also will speak at a brown bag luncheon for WUOT listeners Tuesday afternoon.
The event is sponsored by WUOT 91.9 FM, the Baker Center and the 91.9 Inc. Board.
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C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu)