By Walter Kraft / EMU
YPSILANTI — Its history as a founding partner of the Detroit Jazz Festival is just one of the highlights as WEMU 89.1 General Manager Molly Motherwell joined EMU Today TV to commemorate the station’s 60th anniversary. The station’s rich heritage as a key element of Eastern Michigan University’s campus community and as a news, information and entertainment resource for Washtenaw County and beyond was a focus of the segment.
In the segment, Motherwell describes the station’s history starting with its humble beginnings. “When WEMU signed on as a 10 watt in-dorm service to broadcast EMU sports on Dec. 8, 1965, no one had any idea that 60 years later, the station would be a community mainstay with thousands of listeners and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations.”
Over the years the station evolved into the powerhouse professional station it is today, with a 24/7 broadcast schedule with National Public Radio news, local news, and a jazz and blues music focus. The station is widely regarded with a strong statewide and national reputation for excellence. The station has won the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year honors four times, including the last two years.
According to Motherwell, WEMU evolved thanks to visionary leadership and a passionate team of broadcasters that has succeeded against all odds. It now serves 50,000 weekly listeners and has forged partnerships with major arts organizations across SE Michigan including the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, and the Michigan Jazz Festival.
EMU Today TV
Now in its eighth season, EMU Today TV, produced by the University’s Division of Communications, highlights programs, events and initiatives at Eastern Michigan University. The program is hosted by EMU alum Mark S. Lee. Lee is a part-time lecturer of marketing at Eastern. He is the host of the podcast, “In the Conference Room”, and is featured in a weekly business segment, “Strictly Business”, on CBS News Detroit. Lee also is a frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics.
This episode, and previous editions can be viewed on the University’s YouTube channel.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University’s website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
