The antique radio collection of the late Dr. Lowell G. Perry was dedicated last Saturday during a breakfast reception at KACU. The collection is now on permanent display in the office of KACU.
“Lowell dedicated his life to broadcasting. He should be remembered for the great things he did,” said Richard Melton, a former friend of Perry.
The collection was donated to the university by the widow of the late Dr. Lowell G. Perry, Earlene Perry uring the early 1980’s. It was on display in the Don Morris Building until 2000, when it was replaced by David Leeson’s photography collection.
“I appreciate Leeson’s display, but I knew that Lowell would want students to enjoy his radio collection,” Earlene Perry said. “I contacted the school, and everyone agreed that the collection should be put back on display.”
The late Dr. Lowell G. Perry left a lasting mark on ACU as a professor of communications. He was instrumental in establishing KACC. When Perry established the campus radio station, KACC consisted of wires that ran throughout the university grounds. Now known as KACU, the station is approaching its 25th year as a county-wide National Public Radio station. KACU can be heard on 89.7 FM, as well as on its website, www.kacu.org. The station is also working to become available in high definition.
“Lowell was a visionary. He knew what FM was going to become, even before people had FM on their radio. He also knew what shortwave radio would become,” said Perry, “He knew shortwave radio could be a way to share the word of Jesus.”
Lowell G. Perry was killed in a plane crash in 1977 while scouting a location for a shortwave radio station transmitter for the then unknown non-profit organization, World Christian Broadcasting. This organization now broadcasts in China, Russia and will soon include Madagascar.
The collection consists of over 18 pieces, including an antique Will Roger’s microphone.
“This microphone was Lowell’s favorite. A student gave it to him,” Perry said, “To him, the students were the most important.”
Anyone interested in viewing the display can visit the KACU office, located on the first floor of the Don H. Morris Center on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
