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Broadcasting

Fall 2022

Radio Days

Hear from alumni who worked at KWSC or, after its call letters changed, KWSU, the flagship station of Northwest Public Broadcasting’s National Public Radio News network.

The non-commercial radio station is licensed to Washington State University in Pullman. While the frequencies, reach, call letters, and approach to programming have all changed since its inception in 1922, WSU’s radio station has been broadcasting for 100 years this year.

 

‘What a fun time’

In 1995 to 1996, I—along with Brian T. Perkins (’98 Comm.), Jeff Kirsch (’98 Comm.), Randy Goode (’97 Comm.), Michelle Memmel (’95 Busi. Admin, Comm.), Darren Fessenden (’99 Comm.), Jason … » More …

Cara Williams Fry
Fall 2022

Meet Cara Williams Fry

The new general manager of Northwest Public Broadcasting shares her thoughts on the legacy of Edward R. Murrow, the importance of community engagement, 100 years of broadcasting at Washington State University, and more.

 

What attracted you to NWPB and WSU Pullman? Was the reputation of Edward R. Murrow and the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication part of the draw? Absolutely. One hundred percent. I respect Edward R. Murrow. When I looked at this position and saw that it was part of the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, it made me all that much more interested. The … » More …

Sueann Ramella smiles next to vintage microphone
Fall 2022

Voices of Northwest Public Broadcasting

In celebration of 100 years of broadcasting at Washington State University, Northwest Public Broadcasting staffers discuss their work, its impact, and more.

 

Becoming a fully forged broadcaster

By Sueann Ramella ’00 Comm.

Program director

Reflecting back, the most defining moments of my education came from my time at Northwest Public Radio, now Northwest Public Broadcasting.

In the late 1990s, radio was live 24/7. New recruits were asked to staff the overnight shifts. I’d leave my Bookie Café job at 7:45 pm to start my overnight at NWPB. The Morning Edition host would relieve me at 4 am. Then, as now, students … » More …

Enrique Cerna with headphones and microphone
Fall 2021

Enrique Cerna: Outtakes

Enrique Cerna (’75 Comm.), longtime broadcast journalist and now podcaster, reflects on his personal history, career, race, and podcasting.

Read more about Cerna’s latest podcast, Chino y Chicano.

 

Family history

“My grandfather on my dad’s side had to flee Mexico. He was a landowner during the revolution. My grandmother had twenty kids. Fifteen made it to adulthood. My father went back to Mexico, and that’s where he met my mom. I’m the youngest of five that lived. We lost one sister who died in Mexico at a year old.”

Reunions

“We have a family reunion the second Saturday of every July. We’ve … » More …

Glenn Johnson
Fall 2020

Listen to the voice

Glenn Johnson has been the Voice of the Cougs for 40 years. Listen to a few highlights below.

Read more about Johnson.

 

The Pac-12 Networks celebrated Glenn Johnson’s 36th year as the “Voice of the Cougs” (YouTube):
Glenn Johnson Pac-12 video link poster

Glenn Johnson leads a 1980 Cougar Electronic Journal celebrating WSU’s 90th anniversary:

 

A short 2012 tribute to Glenn Johnson from Murrow College:

 

KXLY’s Bud … » More …

Keith Jackson at WSU Martin Stadium
Summer 2018

Keith Jackson 1928–2018

When I finally met Keith Jackson ’54 last summer, I felt like I was meeting a friend. He didn’t know it, but we had already spent numerous Saturdays together. While he was calling the biggest games in college football, I was a fan, enjoying not just the games, but the spectacle and excitement that Keith communicated so skillfully to audiences.

Listening to Keith call a game, it was easy to get lost in the excitement of the event. He was a nearly flawless professional—this was obvious to even a casual fan. What set Keith apart from other broadcasters is that he respected the games and … » More …

Kara Rowe with camera and chickens
Summer 2018

From Wilbur to the world

Time for a pop quiz. Name at least one famous female farmer. If you’re coming up dry, you’re not alone—but Kara Rowe ’00 wants to change that. An executive producer at Emmy-award winning North by Northwest in Spokane, Rowe is a champion of all things agricultural—especially women farmers.

Rowe, together with NxNW partner Dave Tanner, and Audra Mulkern, a photographer, foodie, and founder of the Female Farmer Project, are raising funds for a documentary called Women’s Work: The Untold Story of America’s Female Farmers. The producers hope to correct a longstanding problem with the history of ag … » More …