Kansas Public Radio now broadcasts from new home

After more than 50 years broadcasting from a cramped campus building known as the "Mud Hut," Kansas Public Radio at the University of Kansas has moved into a spacious new building with state-of-the-art broadcast facilities and room for all staff members and offices.

The $2.2 million building was funded by donors to KU First: Invest in Excellence, the third and largest comprehensive campaign in KU history. The KU Endowment Association already has raised $469 million toward KU First's $500 million goal. KU First seeks to advance KU's position as a leading U.S. public research, service and teaching university, serving the state of Kansas, the region and the nation through excellence in research, service and education.

Kevin Corbett, KU Endowment senior vice president for development, said the campaign offered a great opportunity for KU Endowment to help Kansas Public Radio raise funds for a new building.

"The need was obvious for a new facility to house KPR's programming, staffing and live studio performances," Corbett said. "KU First provided an ideal opportunity for KU Endowment to partner with KPR staff in calling attention to the high priority and urgency of KPR's needs. We are grateful to the donors who made leadership gifts to make this new building a reality for the benefit of KU and the listeners of Kansas Public Radio."

Kansas Public Radio has been on the air since Sept. 15, 1952. KPR outgrew Broadcasting Hall years ago, but no space on campus was large enough to accommodate the station. In 2001, with KPR departments spread across three campus buildings, a decision was made to build from scratch at 1120 W. 11th St. and join the building to the Audio-Reader site. Audio-Reader is a statewide radio reading service for the blind and visually impaired.

KPR's new building features 24 rooms, 9,500 square feet, five production studios, a music library to hold more than 30,000 compact discs, and a concert-hall-quality performance space. The initial funds for construction were provided by generous gifts from two longtime KPR benefactors. Hortense "Tensie" Oldfather gave KPR more than $1 million to begin construction. A well-known Lawrence philanthropist and community volunteer, Oldfather has supported KPR for many years.

The Overland Park-based Sunderland Foundation pledged $500,000 for the project. A member of KPR's advisory board, James Sunderland is the retired chairman of the Ash Grove Cement Co.

KANU 91.5-FM is the flagship station of Kansas Public Radio, a consortium of stations that blankets northeast Kansas with an eclectic blend of music, national and state news, entertainment, and cultural and information programming. Other stations in the KPR network are KANH 89.7-FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3-FM in Olsburg/Junction City and K210CR 89.7-FM in Atchison.