KUAF Announces New Building Name in Honor of Long-Time Patrons, Lynn and Joel Carver

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas public radio station, KUAF 91.3 FM, announced the official name of its new building: the Lynn and Joel Carver Center for Public Radio.

 “We are grateful to every person who contributes to the success of public radio, KUAF in particular,” said Rick Stockdell, general manager of the station. “Lynn and Joel Carver exemplify what listener support can accomplish. They supported KUAF at a high level when we operated at 100 watts and they could barely hear the station at their home in Springdale. They were our first ‘major donors’ and their continuing support for KUAF, the University of Arkansas and other community organizations over the years has helped improve the quality of life for all of us in many ways.

“The Carvers' efforts on our behalf, during this capital campaign, along with their long-time support of the radio station have helped us get to this point in the history of KUAF,” Stockdell continued. “I know I speak for the entire staff at KUAF when I say we'll be very happy working in the Carver Center for Public Radio."

In its new 7,500-square-foot facility, KUAF will expand programming and regional news coverage, operate three high-definition radio stations — the existing mixed news and music format, one all classical, and one with all news and information programming — and broadcast live shows and host live community concerts. The building will also provide much needed office and studio space.

“It is because of generous supporters of our university that we are where we are today,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart, “and the Carvers have made the dream for KUAF’s future a reality. They have watched the station grow, and they always believed in the value of public radio in our community. I know the best years of KUAF are still to come, and I thank each and every supporter of the station for keeping this service alive and well in northwest Arkansas.”

KUAF is currently in the midst of a $1.5 million fundraising campaign that has already raised $1.1 million for its new building. Co-chairs of the capital campaign volunteer committee are Ann Henry, Frank Sharp and Dan Ferritor. The honorary chair is Jim Blair.

Joel Carver (B.S. 1974, M.D. 1978) is an interventional cardiologist who has practiced in northwest Arkansas since 1983. He is the founder of the Jones Family Resource Center, which assists more than 40 nonprofit agencies, and he serves as trustee for the Jones Trust. Lynn Carver (B.A. 1980) founded the Arkansas Support Network with several other women, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to families of developmentally disabled children. She is a member of the Arts Center of the Ozarks board of directors, the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families board, and the board of Arvest Bank in Springdale. She is a registered nurse, and she serves on the advisory board for the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas. The Carvers reside in Springdale.