UB's National Public Radio affiliate, WBFO 88.7 FM, announced earlier this month that Mark Vogelzang will be the station's interim general manager.
The move was made after WBFO's previous general manager, Carole Smith Petro, accepted the position of associate vice president in UB's Office of Economic Engagement.
In his 15 years as president of Vermont Public Radio, Vogelzang oversaw the network's expansion as well as a classical music service and award-winning news service.
Vogelzang is also a member of NPR's board of directors. Most recently, he has worked with NPR's development and foundation team in Washington, D.C.
'[Vogelzang] will help the station enhance fundraising, attract listeners, and streamline operations,' said Joseph Brennan, associate vice president for University Communications.
While UB holds the license for WBFO, not all funding comes from the university. The station is currently trying to increase outside funding by appealing to more listeners.
Currently, WBFO's signal can reach southern Ontario and the outskirts of Toronto.
'We want to develop a better relationship with [Ontarians] and really expand over the border,' Brennan said.
Vogelzang was able to attract an audience as far as Montreal when he worked at Vermont Public Radio.
With even more budget cuts expected within the university, Brennan said fundraising would be a critical aspect of WBFO's income.
'We fundraise through on-air pledge drives, private philanthropy, and underwriting,' Brennan said.
In their Fall Pledge Drive, the station was able to raise $226,000, which was $6,000 more than their goal. But Brennan believes the station needs more.
'Fundraising needs to be stepped up, and [Vogelzang] can do this,' Brennan said.
During his time at NPR, Vogelzang visited stations and taught them ways to fundraise.
'He's going to be a teacher and guide for WBFO,' Brennan said.
WBFO has been a public station for the past 50 years, providing a variety of programming from NPR broadcasts, local talk shows, regional news and local concerts. Every Wednesday night, WBFO airs concerts from Allen Hall and posts them on their Web site.
Brennan wants the station to attract more local listeners. With 95,000 weekly listeners in the Buffalo area and from repeater stations in Olean and Jamestown, WBFO ranks around the middle of the pack out of Buffalo's 32 radio stations.
'We know what most listeners tune in for and now we need to better it,' Brennan said.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
