The 2011 Red, White & True faculty and staff giving initiative is under way at the University of Arkansas! Members of the campus community may not realize all the ways employee gifts have a direct impact on the university. Over the next few weeks, check Newswire and the Red, White & True website for stories about ways staff and faculty gifts have made, and can continue to make, a difference for the students and programs that make the University of Arkansas what it is today.

One of the areas that receives a great deal of support from faculty and staff is National Public Radio affiliate KUAF 91.3 FM.

“It’s just good programming,” said Katherine Shurlds, listener and supporter of KUAF and professor of journalism in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. “My husband and I have listened to KUAF almost as long as we’ve been married, which is 35 years, or as long as KUAF has been strong enough to be heard where we live. I really like it because I listen to it in the morning when I’m getting ready to go to work. I know what’s going on that day as I’m on my way to campus. I rely on KUAF for national news more than newspapers. As far as staying current, that is KUAF.”

Like Shurlds, many listeners have been a part of KUAF for a significant portion of their lives. University of Arkansas photographer, Russell Cothren, recalls starting out in his career, spending a lot of time in darkrooms developing photographs while listening to the station.

“I loved the weekends because I knew that I could work in my darkroom nonstop and listen to some great shows. I listened as Bill Clinton was elected president of the United States; as Hurricane Andrew wreaked havoc and destruction; the 1992 Los Angeles riots; economics; society; film. The KUAF gang is second to none. They are artists and professionals.”

The KUAF family values, and relies upon, listener support to keep going. Support from listeners makes up 70 percent of the station’s operating budget, and employee giving is an important piece of that pie.

“Our faculty and staff giving is the backbone of KUAF membership,” said KUAF’s director of major gifts, Molly Rawn. “Many of our members are sustaining members, giving through payroll deductions each month. We can count on them year after year. It’s an illustration of how the YOU of A is not just a slogan but is really put into practice.”

With today’s ongoing challenges related to National Public Radio support, contributions are needed more than ever, and the listeners plan to step up.

“I cannot imagine my life as I know it without NPR or KUAF,” said Cothren. “I am a more aware and informed citizen of my community, state and country because of NPR, and I am planning on bumping up my contribution this year.”

As you consider involvement in this year’s Red, White & True giving initiative, remember there are countless areas of campus that appreciate and need your support. Give to the area you are most passionate about, and make a difference today for the University of Arkansas.

More information on Red, White & True can be found here, or you may contact Merin Macechko, associate director of Annual Programs, at merin@uark.edu or 479-575-2280.