WMKY begins annual spring fundraiser to support public radio
Morehead State Public Radio’s Spring Fundraiser and Membership Drive is March 10–14. New listeners are invited to join, and current members may renew their yearly membership.
“Contributions and memberships help MSPR receive grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” said Paul Hitchcock, MSPR general manager. “Our ability to raise funds and increase our membership is important to meeting CPB criteria to purchase national programs such as All Things Considered, Latino USA, Morning Edition, The Jazz Network, and World Café.”
Since 1965, Morehead State Public Radio has operated from Morehead State University as Eastern Kentucky’s first public radio station, keeping the people of Eastern Kentucky informed, entertained, and connected to their community.
“2025 marks the 60th anniversary of WMKY, and the spring fundraiser kicks off our year-long celebration,” Hitchcock noted. “We hope to hear from long-time listeners, friends, former students, and colleagues of WMKY.”
On June 15, 1965, WMKY debuted for a four-hour broadcast day at 10 watts of power. In April 1970, WMKY increased power to 50,000 watts with a twelve-hour broadcast day. In 1999, WMKY began broadcasting twenty-four hours a day. Morehead State Public Radio was established in 2002.
MSPR’s full-time staff includes Paul Hitchcock, general manager; Greg Jenkins, operations director; and Samantha Morrill, news director. In addition, several Morehead State University students are involved as work-studies and interns as news reporters and studio announcers.
“WMKY’s long tradition of involving students in every aspect of broadcasting and operations is vital to our success,” said Hitchcock. “It’s an important part of our mission to provide firsthand student opportunities, local news, and educational, informative, and entertaining programming.”
Special “thank you gifts” are available to help celebrate WMKY's 60th anniversary. Contributors may receive a Gildan ash gray cotton T-shirt for a $60.00 gift or a large canvas boat tote bag and a T-shirt for a $120.00 gift.
Financial gifts to the MSPR Fund support student work studies and local programming. Supporters also have the option to designate gifts to MSPR’s Enhancement Fund, providing scholarships to qualified students at Morehead State University. Gifts to the MSPR Fund or the MSPR Enhancement Fund may be made online.
You can listen to WMKY at 90.3FM online, via a phone app, or through a smart speaker (“Play WMKY”).
For additional information, e-mail Paul Hitchcock at p.hitchc@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2334.
