Last week’s pledge drive at KACU finished around $5,000 dollars short of their goal. The radio station, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, originally planned to raise $38,000 for the fall semester.
Nathan Gibbs, assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications and general manager at KACU, said the lower numbers were to be expected and that there is no need for panic.
“We had our biggest fundraising drive last fall; our goal was $40,000 and we hit $44,000,” Gibbs said. “This semester, we were under the goal around $5,000, as our goal was $38,000 and we reached $33,000.”
Gibbs said the fundraiser was on par with previous spring fundraisers, and the record fundraiser set last fall will help make up the difference needed to keep their regular programming on the air.
“I knew ahead of time that as long as we got about within the gap that we went over the last time, we would be fine,” Gibbs said. “It may just be that the people we got to give last fall gave early and didn’t give this time. It’s that kind of thing where it goes up and down a little bit, but all in all it fares very steady comparing spring against fall, as spring is lower than fall. So in terms of programming, I don’t think there will be that much of a shortage to where we change our programming.”
Cheryl Mann Bacon, professor and chair of the JMC department, was on air encouraging listeners to donate and support KACU. Bacon also has personal memories with KACU that make her want to help the radio station as much as she can.
“My initial experience with KACU was when I was a student announcer here, back when it was KACC,” Bacon said. “More significantly, for the past 20 years, I’ve been involved as a faculty member and chair of the department, as well as a volunteer.”
Bacon, an avid KACU listener and donor herself, said having KACU under the roof of the JMC department is an incredible opportunity.
“We are very proud to have KACU operate under the auspices of the JMC department, so I’m always glad to volunteer and help out during pledge drives,” Bacon said.
Bacon also has faith that KACU will make up the deficit, and that there is nothing to fear about losing KACU but strongly encourages those who have not donated to support KACU.
“We fully expect that a portion of that will be made up with what comes through the mail, as the pre-drive responses always dwindle out after the drive is over,” Bacon said. “However, I think it’s always important for people to continue to support KACU, because it is the only avenue in Abilene for the high quality content that it provides.”
To donate to KACU, go to http://www.KACU.org and click on the green “donate” button in the top right corner, or stop by the office on the JMC side of the first floor of the Don H. Morris Building.
