Inspiring Stories
Lovers of classical music and all other things NPR will find a friend in Sandie Kramer. The retired social studies teacher and long-time volunteer at WKSU turned her passion for the station's programming and outreach programs into two legacy gifts that will touch many other…
"It's important to me to give back because I had such a good experience at Kent State," says Jim. "I have a revocable living trust currently that will convert to a charitable trust after I pass. Every year it will spin off a certain amount of money for the university." Jim's…
Even though he passed away in 2011, Brittany Caldwell, a sophomore at the East Liverpool campus, feels like she knows Gus Markanton well. "I know he owned Gus's Party Center and was full of encouraging words to people who wanted to continue their education," she says. "I really…
Lellan "Mac" McFarland has had a love affair with airplanes and aviation for most of his life. He joined the Air Force right after high school in 1955, and served as a crew chief on F-86 Sabre jets for four years, before joining Warner Swazey as a machinist. Over many subsequent…
Sarah Mull loves animals. She's a zoology major, and her dream has always been to become a veterinarian. Thanks to the Dr. Harold R. Papiska Scholarship in Biological Science, she's one step closer to making that dream a reality.
Nancy Baird is probably one of the most enthusiastic supporters and believers in public radio you'll ever meet. She has been a member of WKSU since April 1997 when she moved to Ohio from Pennsylvania, has served as chair of the station's Community Advisory Council for several…
Phil and Mary Lou Herbert were like many couples who grew up in Ashtabula after World War II. They met in high school, got married after Phil served in the Korean War, bought a house and went to work to build their dream - Phil as a chemist at General Tire (GenCorp) and Mary Lou…
A faculty member at Kent State since 1995, David Kessler has had an insider's perspective on the unique needs of the university for many years. His wife, Audrey, also has been an active member of the community and an admirer of the music program at Kent State. The variety of…