The on-campus public radio station has begun giving its listeners an opportunity to get together, drink coffee and share conversation with staff members on the first Friday of every month at an event called Coffee with KACU.
The event takes place from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the station on the first floor of the Don H. Morris Center.
Cara Lee Cranford, KACU development director, said all listeners throughout town are encouraged to come.
The mugs on the wall represent 30 years of mugs, Cranford said. They remain on the wall for display.
Cranford has planned the event and has set up the announcements on Facebook, on the air and by email to promote Coffee with KACU.
The turnout varies, but 20-25 listeners typically attend.
Staff members at Monks Coffee Shop are KACU fans, said Cranford. They bring their coffee, muffins and pastries to share with attendees.
Cranford said she got Monks to help them by approaching them.
“They were really excited about it,” Cranford said. “They were on board from the beginning, and it’s been a really good benefit for them and us as well.”
Heather Claborn, KACU news director, said she attends the event to interact with the participants.
Some topics of conversation include getting to know the listeners, KACU’s programming and listeners wanting certain shows. Wells Wetherell, one audience member, came to ask KACU to keep a show called The Moth, a storytelling show to which listeners submit stories of their own experiences, which can range from funny to sad, Claborn said.
When KACU made changes for its programming, the members of the station kept The Moth because staff members noticed the show had interest among local fans.
Claborn said another memorable experience for her at Coffee with KACU was when a teenage-listener named Ta-Len Arberry came.
“Last summer we had a 16-year-old student come, and he is a listener to the station and heard that we were having these coffees,” Claborn said. “He just showed up on his own. He got himself here.”
Claborn said she found it nice to talk with a student who likes classical music, is interested in the news and appreciates public radio.
“It was impressive,” Claborn said.
