WESU-FM

It’s Almost #GivingTuesday

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There is still turkey in my fridge, even though our guests are long gone. Mathilde seems to like the broth on her dog food, and I’ll be enjoying turkey soup for quite some time. I don’t do much shopping online, but I can’t avoid all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads. Tomorrow brings a different kind of post-Thanksgiving online transaction: Giving Tuesday.

There are so many ways to express gratitude, and I find a powerful one to be showing generosity toward organizations and people one cares about. A few years ago, my friend Henry Timms (now the president of Lincoln Center in New York) came up with the idea of a “giving day” to follow Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And so #GivingTuesday was born. It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to act philanthropically. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Generosity is contagious! Be a part of a national celebration of our great tradition of philanthropy.

#GivingTuesday has become internationally recognized as a time to show one’s support for the values and missions one cares about. People all over the world use the occasion to support their favorite causes. This is Wesleyan’s sixth year participating. During that time, thousands of Wesleyan alumni, parents, students and friends have chosen to make donations. Together, we have unlocked millions of dollars in matching funds for financial aid.

Every gift made through Tuesday, December 3, 2019 will be matched with a dollar-for-dollar contribution to Financial Aid, up to $100,000, thanks to the generosity of Stuart Ellman ’88 and Susan Berger Ellman ’90.

I hope you will be giving to your favorite causes tomorrow, and I am especially hopeful that Wesleyan will be among them. Don’t forget about WESUFM, and other university initiatives. There are many worthy causes out there, and this university is very grateful for any and all gifts.

Wesleyan Radio, WESU Needs Our Help!

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The extraordinary WESU-FM station manager Ben Michaels recently reached out to remind us about the pledge drive. Here’s part of what he has to say:

With a full-time employee on duty for the last 15 years, WESU has transformed from a station struggling to recover from a hasty studio relocation and waning student interest into an award winning beacon of community engagement, overflowing with interest and activity on and off campus.  At WESU, student and community volunteers work side-by-side to serve listeners seeking radio that still dares to present perspectives and music that deviate from and challenge mainstream trends and sensibilities.  WESU is listener-supported community radio, which means we depend on support from folks like you!

Student and community support have directly helped to raise the quality of the service WESU provides.  Nearly ten years ago, we made a major boost to our FM signal and recently implemented major studio upgrades, thanks in large part to community support. This past winter we achieved a major milestone with the purchase and installation of a brand new state-of-the-art digital transmitter, which has been running loudly and clearly since January.

This period of growth and stability would not have been possible without consistent support from WESU stakeholders—like you! A successful Spring Pledge Drive will ensure WESU’s continued growth and ability to cover its operational costs through the end of this fiscal year.  Your contribution will also help us make the second installment on our new transmitter, which we aim to pay off within 3-5 years.

Positioned within the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, WESU is a flagship example of community engagement at Wesleyan University.  Our current board of directors has been working hard to preserve the legacy of WESU and ensure that this unique asset remains a safe space for students and community members to explore, engage, and impact our world together. With the station’s 80th anniversary on the horizon (2019), WESU is louder and stronger than ever.  I’m excited to see what the future brings.

Your support for WESU will help ensure that Wesleyan’s legacy of free-form community radio has a home on the FM airwaves in central CT and beyond for many years to come. Please donate today!

And now an update: Hey Friends of WESU, we have just reached the $7k mark for the Spring Pledge Drive! There is just under $19k left to be raised!!! Please donate at wesufm.org/pledge every dollar helps keep the station up and running.