NPR "Talk Of The Nation" Host To Help Celebrate KWBU-FM Anniversary
One of America's leading journalists will visit Baylor University this weekend as KWBU 103.3 FM celebrates its one year anniversary as an affiliate of National Public Radio.
Juan Williams, host of NPR's afternoon call-in program "Talk of the Nation," will speak at a dinner honoring members and underwriters at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 23, in the Barfield Drawing Room in the Bill Daniel Student Center.
KWBU-FM began broadcasting NPR programming on July 1, 2000, and in one year has a growing membership of more than 500 people, said station manager Brodie Bashaw. A recent upgrade of KWBU-FM's transmission facilities, which included a new 400-foot tower, effectively doubled the station's power, providing a stronger, clearer signal for listeners in McLennan and surrounding counties. The upgrade also allowed KWBU-FM to change frequencies from 107.1 to 103.3 on June 10.
"We have put a tremendous amount of work into KWBU-FM during the past year, and it's been a very exciting and rewarding experience for us and for our listeners in the Central Texas area," Bashaw said. "We plan to continue to bring our listeners the best in NPR programming, while producing more local programs with the addition of a full-time news and public affairs producer."
Founding and charter KWBU-FM members and charter underwriters will have the opportunity Saturday to hear from Williams, who is well-known to listeners for his insight, depth and humor on a wide spectrum of issues on "Talk of the Nation." The program airs on KWBU-FM from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A writer, author and political analyst, Williams spent 21 years at The Washington Post as an editorial writer, op-ed columnist and White House reporter. He's the author of two critically acclaimed books -- Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary and Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965 -- and has contributed articles to Newsweek, Fortune, The Atlantic Monthly, Ebony, Gentlemen's Quarterly and The New Republic.
Williams also is known for his television work as a contributing political analyst for the Fox News Channel and a regular panelist on "Fox News Sunday." He has appeared on numerous television programs, including "Nightline," "Washington Week in Review," "Oprah," CNN's "Crossfire" and "Capitol Gang Sunday." Williams also won an Emmy award for television documentary writing and widespread praise for a series of documentaries, including "Politics: The New Black Power."
A graduate of Haverford College, Williams serves on a number of boards, including the Haverford College board of trustees, the Aspen Institute of Communications and Society Program, Washington Journalism Center and the New York Civil Rights Coalition.
For more information on KWBU-FM, contact Bashaw at 710-3695.