WMUK names Bolar general managerFeb. 3, 2011 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's public radio station, WMUK 102.1 FM, has a new general manger and underwriting manager. Dr. Gordon Bolar, WMUK's development director, will lead the station, effective today. He replaces Floyd Pientka, who retired Jan. 31 after 11 years as general manager and 26 years at the University. WMUK also hired Anders Dahlberg Jan. 3 to fill the vacant position of underwriting manager. Bolar brings 16 years of public broadcasting experience to his new role, along with 25 years of management experience in the not-for-profit sector. "I hope that we can expand our coverage of the arts and culture in this community," he says. "We'll need to secure some additional funding to do that, but I believe the need is there for that kind of coverage." Bolar had been WMUK's development director since 2006, having joined the station after serving for eight years in the same capacity at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Previously, he worked as development director at public radio and TV stations in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Anchorage, Alaska. He also has been a college-level theatre teacher and the performing arts coordinator for the Louisiana State Arts Council. Bolar earned a bachelor's degree from Hendrix College, a master's degree from Ohio University and a doctoral degree from Louisiana State University. Dahlberg is coming to WMUK from part-time posts at WMU and Kalamazoo College. As underwriting manager for the radio station, he will be focusing on enhancing relationships with businesses, corporations, foundations, non-profit organizations and other regional clients that seek greater exposure for their programs, events and services. He also will serve as an on-air host for WMUK's listener fundraising campaigns. Dahlberg taught in WMU's Department of Dance for three years and has been serving the University's School of Music for the past 15 years as artistic director of the Bullock Performance Institute. In addition, he is a part-time music instructor at Kalamazoo College and was coordinator of that college's Department of Music from September 2009 until this January. Dahlberg is active in the community as a promoter of classical music appreciation, performance and education, and is the assistant principal double bass player for the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He earned a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and master's degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and WMU. Dahlberg also has done doctoral work at Michigan State University. Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News |
