A voice for the community.A Letter from WAmU 88.5’s GenerAL mAnAGer, CAryn G. mAthes This was an...

A voice for the community.

Fy 2009 AnnuAl RepoRt wamu.org | Your NPR news station in the Nation’s Capital

A Letter from WAmU 88.5’s GenerAL mAnAGer, CAryn G. mAthesThis was an unprecedented year in news: the presidential election and the international financial crisis created an enormous need for balanced, contextual coverage, and WAMU 88.5 stepped in to fill that need for our listeners, who now number nearly 750,000 each week. From the international coverage of NPR news to the national scope of The Diane Rehm Show, from the regional and local election coverage of The Politics Hour to the hyper-local focus of forums on The Conversation, this station has distinguished itself as the place — on the dial, online, and even on the phone — for lifelong learning through civil discourse and in-depth news.

We took great strides toward our vision to become the most respected and trusted voice in traditional and emerging media for our listeners:

• Our reporters hit the streets of our community to bring back stories of how the quintessential national story, the election of a new president, greatly affected our home, the nation’s capital, during the days surrounding the Inauguration. • We focused our energy on some of our most vulnerable citizens — public school students, children of illegal immigrants, and disabled veterans among them — leveraging the power of our signal to give voice to their stories. • Finally, in the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression, we went deeper by telling the stories of the people who coasted down hills to save gasoline and those who lost all they had in a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme. In this year, when social media arguably reached the tipping point, switching from a Gen Y-communication utility to essential media platform, we launched The Conversation — our own social network. The Conversation is a place for reporters to get tips, producers to glean story ideas, and listeners to discuss and, yes, argue about the news of the day. Distinguished from similar efforts by its civil tone and room for intellectual disagreement, The Conversation serves our listeners who want to engage with a capital “E.”

Using The Conversation as a springboard, we quickly began using the conversational aspects of Facebook and Twitter, which gave listeners to The Diane Rehm Show and The Kojo Nnamdi Show a place not only to question or comment, but also to read the ideas of other listeners following the same story. While other media outlets struggle to integrate this level of engagement in a constructive way, our listeners, already so accustomed to dialogue and discourse, moved those ideas seamlessly to social media. You honored us by letting US join YOU online, making WAMU 88.5 part of your own social networks.

In the year of the Big Story, we could not have told all those smaller stories without the support of our members and corporate partners, who stepped up in record numbers to help WAMU 88.5 weather the financial storm that rocked so many news outlets and nonprofits across the country. Through your current and ongoing support, you aid our work to: • Make and disseminate rich, compelling, and innovative content, including new programs and digital enhancements • Develop and educate new audiences by expanding the service area, enhancing youth programming, and taking full advantage of our position as a university resource • Plan for future facility and technology needs and build our cash reserves and endowment • Be everywhere – every story, every community meeting, every online platform – you need for us to beOf course, this work doesn’t end with this year; our mission to foster an engaged and connected community through our programs and news will carry us forward into a new year, and thanks to you, we’ll do so with momentum and an enhanced sense of purpose. Thank you for giving so generously of your time and hard-earned dollars; I hope you enjoy this look back at fiscal year 2009 and can appreciate your own contribution to your NPR news station in the nation’s capital.

Caryn G. Mathes, General Manager

FY 2009 AnnuAl RepoRt | WAMu 88.5 AMeRiCAn univeRsitY RAdio | 2

WAmU 88.5 AnnUAL reportFiscal year 2009

timeline of Station Highlights ................................... 4

WAMu 88.5 on-Air ................................................... 5 Audience UpdateSpecialsWAMU 88.5 Shows

A Voice for the Community ....................................... 15The Community MinuteThe Community CouncilCommunity DialoguesCommunity PartnershipsAmerican University RadioEducational Impact

WAMu 88.5 online ................................................... 23

technology .............................................................. 24

WAMu 88.5 Funding ................................................ 25DevelopmentCorporate Underwriting

American university Board of trustees, Fy 2009 ....... 33

Full-time Staff, Fy 2009 ........................................... 34


fy 2009 timeLine of stAtion hiGhLiGhts

May 2, 2008 | Ray Davis, host of The Ray Davis Show on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country, celebrated 60 years in broadcasting. May 4, 2008 | WAMU 88.5 sponsored a book-signing event with Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of The Splendid Table, at the FRESHFARM Market in Dupont Circle.

May 19, 2008 | WAMU 88.5 launched The Conversation — an online meeting place for listeners, producers, hosts, and reporters — at conversation.wamu.org. June 4, 2008 | WAMU 88.5, Interfaith Voices, and All Souls Unitarian Church presented “Religion in the 2008 Election,” a special public forum in northwest Washington.

Aug. 28, 2008 | Diane Rehm hosted a pre-cruise reception at her home for travelers on the Danube River Discovery Tour.

August and September 2008 | The Kojo Nnamdi Show presented special live broadcasts Aug. 25–29 from the Democratic National Convention in Denver, and Sept. 1–5 from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Sept. 3, 2008 | WAMU 88.5’s longtime morning host Bill Redlin, the local voice of NPR’s Morning Edition since 1985, moved to middays. Matt McCleskey took over as morning host. Sept. 10, 2008 | The station celebrated Kojo Nnamdi’s 10th anniversary with WAMU 88.5 with a reception at the National Press Club’s First Amendment Room. Sept. 16-oct. 1, 2008 | The Danube River Discovery Tour, with host Diane Rehm, successfully sailed. oct. 31, 2008 | The Diane Rehm Show’s “Friday News Roundup” broadcasted live from the Newseum. Jan. 10, 2009 | WAMU 88.5, BBC World Service, and Public Radio International partnered for “Obama’s Washington and the World,” a live town hall meeting hosted by Kojo Nnamdi and the BBC’s Owen Bennett-Jones at American University’s Washington College of Law. Jan. 25, 2009 | Diane Rehm hosted a post-cruise reception for those who traveled with her on the Danube River cruise.

March 10, 2009 | WAMU 88.5 signed a five-year contract with NPR, ensuring that The Diane Rehm Show will continue to be distributed nationally through September 2013.

March 16, 2009 | WAMU-3 added The Takeaway, a national morning news program produced by Public Radio International and WNYC Radio in collaboration with the BBC World Service, The New York Times, and WGBH Boston, to its weekday morning schedule.

March 25, 2009 | WAMU’s Bluegrass Country released the first and only all-bluegrass music application for the iPhone, enabling listeners to access Bluegrass Country’s digital stream from the iPhone desktop.

April 27, 2009 | WAMU 88.5 launched “Facing the Mortgage Crisis,” a week of programs focusing on the global financial crisis and its effects on the Washington area. The station partnered with WHUT-TV, Howard University Television, and American Public Media’s Marketplace; funding was provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Ray davis, host of The Ray Davis Show

The Diane Rehm Show’s “Friday news Roundup”

broadcast live from the newseum

WAMu’s Bluegrass Country iphone app


WAmU 88.5 on-Air

Audience update

May–September 2008With 656,000 weekly total Survey Area (tSA) listeners, WAMu 88.5 was the third most-listened-to public radio station in the country in the spring 2008 survey, which included Washington, D.C., and Baltimore listeners.

The summer 2008 survey named WAMU 88.5 the most-listened-to public radio station in the country, with 508,200 weekly Cume listeners and a No. 1 national ranking in the AQH Persons metric as well. In summer, nationwide Arbitron surveys measure radio listening from the Metro Survey Area (MSA), not the TSA; therefore, summer 2008 figures reflect the radio listening patterns of the Washington, D.C., metro area only. (If WAMU 88.5 were a store, the Cume would be the total number of different listeners who shop in the store during a week; the AQH Persons is the average number of people shopping during any 15-minute period.)

From May through September 2008, the spring and summer Arbitron surveys yielded a two-survey average weekly audience of 611,450 listeners age 12 and older in the TSA. The station’s core listeners, those who spend more time listening to WAMU 88.5 than any other radio station, accounted for 58 percent of the audience — up 5 percent from the previous year’s listening patterns.

Locally, WAMU 88.5 ranked among the top five most-listened-to stations in the Washington, D.C., metro area with Morning Edition consistently ranked No. 2 in the market. The Saturday morning schedule (6 a.m. to noon) ranked No. 1.

Diaries make way for personal people MetersFY09 saw a major shift in how Arbitron measures radio listening. Historically, Arbitron asked people to keep track of their radio listening habits by filling out diaries that were mailed to their households. Concerns about respondents’ ability to accurately report and recall radio listening in an increasingly diverse media environment led Arbitron to develop the Portable People Meter (PPM)™, a personal metering device.

The PPM is the size of a pager and detects exposure to encoded signals in media platforms. Respondents, now called panelists, carry the PPM with them at all times and dock the device each night in order to transmit data to Arbitron for processing. The PPM reports all of radio’s new distribution platforms, including terrestrial and HD radio, online streaming, and satellite and Internet radio. PPMs also can pick up TV signals and radio stations that are on in stores while panelists are shopping. This is passive measurement, replaces the active recall required by the diary method. Arbitron plans to debut the PPM methodology in the Top 25 radio markets by 2010. Smaller markets across the country will continue to use the diary-based methodology. Washington, D.C., began converting to the PPM in October 2008.

the ppM: october 2008–April 2009WAMU 88.5 fared well in the transition to electronic media measurement through the first seven months of PPM data collection in Washington, D.C. the station’s weekly share from october 2008 through April 2009 was 7.1, third place in the market. Share is defined as WAMu 88.5’s percentage of all radio listening in the market.

WAMu 88.5 ranked no. 1 in the country among all public

radio stations in the fall 2008 quarter


nationally, WAMu 88.5 ranked no. 1 in the country among all public radio stations in the fall 2008 quarter (September 18–December 10, 2008) with a weekly share of 7.7 and an AQH persons of 30,900. The winter 2009 quarter produced a No. 1 ranking in weekly share with a 6.7 and a No. 2 national ranking in AQH Persons with 26,100.

The Washington, D.C., market is ninth in the country in terms of population, yet WAMU 88.5 attracts more public radio listeners than larger markets such as New York and Chicago. This is evidence of the powerful public service we provide to listeners in the national capital area and this station’s potential to affect their lives.

Although the PPM measures only metro listening, Arbitron provides twice-yearly reports that merge PPM panelist data with diary data from those geographic areas not measured by the PPM. The Radio Research Consortium, the organization that works with Arbitron to provide audience numbers to noncommercial radio stations, then generates a national total. the national topline Report based on the fall 2008 survey (october, november, and December data) revealed a weekly audience of 742,300 listeners for all of WAMu 88.5’s listening platforms.


Specials

2008 Beijing Olympics Specials

America Abroad: “power, politics, and the olympics”6 p.m., Aug. 3, 2008

Intelligence Squared u.S.: “Should We Accept Steroid use in Sports?”6 p.m., Aug. 10, 2008

Election Specials “i went home to watch the election coverage on tv last night, but found myself listening to your station instead. As expected, your reporting was superior to anything i would have found on the tv networks. please keep up the good work!” – Margaret, WAMu 88.5 member

Coverage of the Indiana and north Carolina presidential primaries8 p.m., May 6, 2008 public forum: “Religion in the 2008 election,” presented by WAMu 88.5, Interfaith Voices, and All Souls unitarian Church7 p.m., June 4, 2008 America Abroad Media: “Beyond the Rhetoric: How the next Administration Will Confront terrorism” Live event was held at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 11, 2008; the special was broadcast at 9 p.m., Sept. 17, 2008.Kojo Nnamdi and Marvin Kalb hosted a town hall discussion on how the next president’s policies on terrorism and homeland security will affect the United States and the world. Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce u.S. Senate Debate 9 p.m., Sept. 18, 2008 | Held between former Virginia governors Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore. Hearing Voices: “prime Candidates” 6 p.m., Sept. 21, 2008 | Presidential candidates tromped through the New Hampshire mill town of “Claremont.” America Abroad Media: “the next president” 9 p.m., Sept. 22, 2008 | Five former secretaries of state discussed the direction of American global leadership and the role of diplomacy. BBC news debate: “World economy on the Brink?” 9 p.m., Sept. 25, 2008 | Andrew Neil was joined by a panel of international bankers and decision-makers for a live debate on the global economy.

the 2008 presidential Debates NPR provided live coverage of the presidential debates and the sole vice presidential debate. WAMU 88.5’s coverage began at 9 p.m., on each debate night with two hours of live, anchored coverage and analysis followed by an hour-long call-in program. The presidential debates took place on Sept. 26, Oct. 7, and Oct. 15; the vice-presidential debate was held Oct. 2.

Ask your lawmaker: “economic Woes and terrorist Fears” 8 p.m., Oct. 7, 2008 | Voters questioned congressional lawmakers about economic woes, terrorist fears, and how the two presidential candidates’ approaches to each issue would differ. American Forum: “Are We in a political youth-quake?” 7 p.m., Oct. 14, 2008 | WAMU 88.5 and American University’s School of Communication hosted a discussion of the new youth movement in politics and the media’s response.

WAMu 88.5 provided listeners with live election coverage


Backstory: “the History of Voting Machines” 6 p.m., Oct. 19, 2008 | A look at the history of voting in America, from the days before the adoption of the secret ballot in the late 19th century to our current system.

“Down to the Wire” 6 p.m., Nov. 2, 2008 | A one-hour program featuring voters, key issues, and the role of personalities in presidential elections, hosted by Aaron Brown and Elizabeth Arnold. npR’s national Call-in Special 10 p.m., Nov. 3, 2008 | A chance for listeners to talk about their concerns and excitement as they waited to vote in a historic election, take a look back at the pivotal points in both campaigns, and look ahead with the latest polls. npR election Coverage 7 p.m., Nov. 4, 2008 | Live election coverage hosted by NPR’s Robert Siegel, Michele Norris, Scott Simon, and Debbie Elliott. press conference: president-elect Barack obama 2 p.m., Nov. 7, 2008 | Live, anchored coverage of President-elect Barack Obama’s press conference. American Forum: “politics and pundits — the promises of the new presidency and the press” 7 p.m., Nov. 11, 2008 | Moderator Mark McDonald, WAMU 88.5’s program director, and his guests discussed the effects of the most covered presidential campaign in history.

“obama’s Washington and the World,” presented by WAMu 88.5, BBC World Service, and public Radio International 1 p.m., Jan. 10, 2009 | Kojo Nnamdi and the BBC’s Owen Bennett-Jones hosted a town hall discussion on American politics at American University’s Washington College of Law. Panelists included Richard Perle, political advisor and lobbyist; Susan Eisenhower, consultant, author, and expert on international security; lobbyist Grover Norquist; Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton; and Lawrence Mishel, president of the Economic Policy Institute.

Media Collaborations

partnership with America Abroad MediaAmerica Abroad Media produces an international affairs program distributed in the United States by Public Radio International and internationally by NPR Worldwide. WAMU 88.5, American University’s School of International Service, American Abroad Media, and The Economist magazine collaborate on content.

WAMU 88.5 aired two special documentaries from America Abroad Media in FY 2009: the Sept. 11, 2008, forum, “Beyond the Rhetoric: How the Next Administration Will Confront Terrorism,” and the Sept. 22, 2008, forum featuring five former secretaries of state discussing the direction of global leadership and the role of American diplomacy.

Facing the Mortgage CrisisThe week of April 27, 2009, WAMU 88.5, in partnership with American Public Media and WHUT-TV, Howard University Television, explored how global economic trends have affected local communities and families. The week of special programs featured long-form local news features, special guests from American Public Media’s Marketplace, and rebroadcasts of the award-winning collaborations between This American Life and NPR’s Planet Money. WAMU 88.5 examined how decisions made by Wall Street, Congress, and the White House have impacted neighborhoods in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The week culminated in a special broadcast of The Politics Hour, which aired live on WAMU 88.5 and WHUT-TV.

Kojo nnamdi and the BBC’s owen Bennett-Jones hosted

a town hall discussion on American politics

WAMu 88.5 partnered with American public Media and WHut-tv, Howard university

television


WAMu 88.5 productions

The Diane Rehm ShowIn a year dominated by news coverage of the presidential election and the global economic crisis, WAMU 88.5’s The Diane Rehm Show continued to provide a framework for understanding our world. The program is one of the most popular radio shows in the country, and Diane is known as one of the most balanced and in-depth interviewers today. Now reaching 2,224,800 listeners on 137 public radio stations*, the NPR distributed call-in talk show set an audience record for five consecutive Arbitron surveys beginning with fall 2006 and continuing through fall 2008. Compared to one year ago, station carriage was up by 13 percent and total live radio audience increased 28 percent. New affiliates include KUAZ in Tucson, Ariz.; WMEA in Portland, Maine; and WGCU in Fort Myers, Fla.

“diane and panelists of the 10/17 news Roundup, i am writing from Heidelberg, Germany. What a great 2 hours! … i am feeling nearly desperate in my search to figure out what the heck is going on at the moment with so many, many big issues and events happening all at the same time. With many sources of information there’s just hysteria in the presentation. i need and am looking for explanation, context, background, and truth. diane, you and your guests provide that most days, but this past Friday you All were just superb!” – dee, listener

The Diane Rehm Show also continued to use technology to connect with listeners. An average of 460,776 podcasts of The Diane Rehm Show was downloaded each month during FY09. Just months after jumping into social networking, the show had more than 7,000 fans on Facebook, and nearly 6,000 followers on Twitter. Diane also hosted monthly online chats on The Conversation, WAMU 88.5’s social network.

“this was a terrific show ... wonderful info for a difficult subject. Your show is a tremendous service to the public. thank you.” – Holly500, twitter follower of The Diane Rehm Show

*The numbers above do not include listenership for HD Radio, streaming, NPR Worldwide, Sirius Satellite Radio, American Forces Network, NPR Berlin, and other international FM and cable channels.

HonorsThe Diane Rehm Show received a $75,000 grant from the Roger and Vicki Sant Foundation and Island Press for a regular hour-long environmental segment.

Diane Rehm received the Communications and Leadership Award from Toastmasters International District 36 on Nov. 8, 2008, in Silver Spring, Md.

The Diane Rehm Show has the distinction of being the only call-in talk program to make Audience Research Analysis’ list of the Top 10 Most Powerful Programs in Public Radio. The show also moved up to ninth place. “Power” is defined as the ability of a program to draw listeners to a station and away from its competitors. To qualify, a national program must generate at least 1 million listeners a week for public radio and maintain an unbroken record of positive power for at least eight consecutive Arbitron surveys.

notable GuestsMaya AngelouJoan BaezDaniel BarenboimCherie BlairHans BlixDonna BrazileTom BrokawJane Bryant QuinnZbigniew BrzezinskiPresident Jimmy Carter

Dr. Anthony FauciTom GjeltenWilliam GreiderJames JonesSen. John KerryMichael KinsleySara Lawrence LightfootJim LehrerSen. Mel MartinezGeorge McGovern

Hisham MelhemToni MorrisonSecretary Janet NapolitanoNorm OrnsteinPeter OrzagT. Boone PickensChristopher PlummerCokie RobertsEugene RobinsonBishop Gene Robinson

Jehan SadatSecretary Ken SalazarBrent ScowcroftPeter SingerJimmy SmitsTed SorensenGeorge SorosAndrew SullivanLawrence TribeSen. Jim Webb

The Diane Rehm Show ranked in the top 10 Most powerful

programs in public Radio.

diane Rehm and former president Jimmy Carter

diane Rehm and toni Morrison


The Kojo Nnamdi Show and The Politics Hour The Kojo Nnamdi Show continued to hone its mission to be “your place for live, provocative conversation connecting your neighborhood with the world.” The program deepened its coverage of international news and strengthened its focus on the connections between local and global headlines. Kojo also launched a weekly segment on food, wine, and culture, delving into questions about how our food is made and introducing listeners to local chefs, bartenders, and farmers.

“i, fortunately, do not have any Bug stories; however, i am beside myself in laughter. the vision of Kojo jumping around the floor with any bug is enough to send me right over the edge. during these trying times, it is marvelous to have some fun news that gives us a smile.” – Candace, listener

Tom Sherwood, a veteran newspaper and television reporter, became the resident analyst on The Politics Hour every Friday. The Politics Hour welcomed area leaders and spotlighted Washington, D.C., politics with members of the D.C. City Council and coverage of ongoing District struggles with Congress over issues including guns and gay marriage.

election CoverageDemocratic and Republican Conventions in Denver and St. Paul, Minn.The Kojo Nnamdi Show broadcasted live from the conventions in August and September 2008, offering listeners an insider’s view of the role local politicians played on the national stage and providing a snapshot of the conventions through interviews with politicians, area residents, and protesters.

“With your reporting, your guests, and the varied topics, i ended up thoroughly enjoying your very eclectic coverage of the democratic Convention. i was thrilled you spent time on the music and just how those songs get chosen, something i had been wondering about all week.” – Margaret, listener

City Council Elections in Washington, D.C.The Kojo Nnamdi Show hosted on-air debates among the candidates in the most hotly contested races throughout summer and fall 2008 and discussed the election results in a program broadcast the day after the election.

Presidential ElectionOn Nov. 4, Kojo interviewed local election monitors and electoral experts from Africa and Latin America about their roles. On Nov. 5, the show provided analysis with a local and global perspectives, featuring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), retiring Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), and reaction from journalists in Kenya, Greece, and Germany.

Virginia’s Gubernatorial Primaries Throughout winter and spring 2009, The Politics Hour interviewed the candidates vying for the Democratic nomination — Brian Moran, Terry McAuliffe, and Creigh Deeds — and the unopposed Republican candidate, Bob McDonnell.

Special programs and Seriesthe Safety of Washington, D.C.’s Water SupplyIn February 2009, Kojo interviewed researchers whose work revealed that hundreds of children had been exposed to potentially damaging lead exposure. Later that month, he interviewed D.C. Council members who led the council’s investigation into the scandal. In March, Kojo conducted the first interview granted by the officials responsible for the city’s water supply, Jerry Johnson of the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority and Tom Jacobus of the Washington Aqueduct.

Juvenile Justice: Reform and Debate in D.C. and Beyond In March 2009, The Kojo Nnamdi Show launched a six-part series on youth crime and juvenile justice in our region.

Kojo nnamdi

The Kojo Nnamdi Show is “your place for live, provocative

conversation connecting your neighborhood with the world.”


notable guests Marin Alsop, music director, Baltimore Symphony OrchestraJosé Andrés, chef Bela Fleck, musicianBrian Greene, physicistMayor Adrian Fenty, Washington, D.C.Gov. Tim Kaine, Virginia County Executive Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County, Md.Annie Leibovitz, photographer Bernard-Henri Levy, philosopherGov. Martin O’Malley, MarylandMarian Wright Edelman, founder, Children’s Defense Fund

Awards The Kojo Nnamdi Show received a Gracie Award for Outstanding Public Affairs Program in a local market from American Women in Radio and Television. The award honors excellence in all types of media created for, by, and about women. The program won for “Women in Public Policy: Selections from The Kojo Nnamdi Show.” Kojo Nnamdi was named best radio personality and best ethnic reporter by the Washington City Paper, which also recognized The Politics Hour and its previous incarnation, The D.C. Politics Hour, as the two best shows for local politics.

The Big Broadcast and Hot Jazz Saturday NightWAMU 88.5’s mission is to remain the standard for lifelong learning through civil discourse, in-depth news, and compelling entertainment. And a big part of the entertainment component is met on the weekend nights by two hosts, Rob Bamberger and Ed Walker, and their vintage music and old-time radio shows.

Every Saturday afternoon, Rob stacks his recordings on a luggage cart and makes his way to WAMU 88.5’s Studio Four, where, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., he spins vintage jazz, swing, and big band recordings from the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s on Hot Jazz Saturday Night.

Each Sunday, The Big Broadcast host Ed Walker offers listeners priceless recordings of popular radio programs from the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. The Big Broadcast is a Sunday night tradition for families throughout the WAMU 88.5 listening area.

“in the fall of my third year in law school … i felt like everything was falling apart all around me. tHen, i discovered The Big Broadcast. Your show became the glowing light at the end of each week. … You know how you frequently say at the opening of the show: ‘so forget about your worries from the week behind and those for the week ahead — for now, sit back and relax, and enjoy The Big Broadcast’? … during those four hours i became completely engrossed in the stories you played. … i still listen to the Big Broadcast every week and have since sought out countless hours of otR (old-time radio), which continues to fascinate and entertain me.” – Martha, listener

Kojo nnamdi and Marin Alsop

ed Walker

Rob Bamberger


Metro ConnectionWAMU’s weekly news magazine, Metro Connection, consistently captured a bit of what makes Washington and its neighborhoods special — the music, the food, the theatre, and the people. Together with the WAMU 88.5 news team, the show also covered the news in a thoughtful, in-depth fashion. Metro Connection was there for the big events: reporters fanned out around the city on Inauguration Day, capturing many fascinating sides of the story as the day unfolded. The show also brought to light smaller stories, such as profiles of dog walkers, funeral directors, and local songwriters.

“My (adult english as a second language) students are thirsty for authentic listening experiences in the classroom and at home; the Metro Connection site is so accessible, and the pieces provide just the right length of audio for intermediate language students. perhaps more important, the content of each piece truly welcomes international students to this, their new (or temporary) home. What a wonderful gift you all give us each Friday!” – Jenny, listener

Whether it was the textile museum scrapping its expansion plans or “hyper-milers,” drivers who squeeze every last drop of mileage out of their gas tanks, Metro Connection found regional stories that highlighted the state of the economy. The show also presented a longer view through chats with economist Stephen Fuller and city residents who lived through the Great Depression.

Special shows and continuing series• The “Working D.C.” series profiled working people from around the city • Continuing interviews with D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee• The challenges facing D.C.’s Trinidad neighborhood• A series about Webb-Wheatley Elementary School• A special on homeless families in the District in April, when many shelters force the homeless

to leave • An in-depth look at next steps following a decision to abandon plans to introduce Asian oysters

in the Chesapeake Bay• Local effort to remove plastic and paper bags from the region’s waterways• February’s hunt for “ghost pots” in the icy Chesapeake Bay with the watermen of Virginia’s

Tangier Island

Regular cast of experts and commentators:• Mark Garland, naturalist• Colleen Fay, arts editor • Tim Carman, food writer

Metro Connection presents one of the only platforms for local musicians to connect with a larger audience. The show featured live, in-studio performances from classical guitarist Chris Anderson and D.C.’s Covington String Quartet, jazz with Pam Parker, and gritty post-punk with the Cassettes.

Finally, there were those other stories that were a little harder to categorize:• Dueling Shakespeares: All-male and all-female “Romeo & Juliet” productions that played

concurrently • A profile of the dog rescue group, Pinups for Pitbulls• Driving around Arlington with the taxi cab poet• The new nightlife experience, “full band karaoke roulette”• The World Naked Bike Ride

david Furst

david Furst and Mark Garland


WAMU 88.5’s Bluegrass Country (BGC)On June 22, 2008, more than 400 people joined BGC for its first open house, which included station tours and live music. All4Hym, Andrew Acosta’s New Old-Time String Band, Hubie King and the Old Timers, the Lisa Kay Band, and Scythian entertained everyone from the lawn of WAMU 88.5’s building in Northwest D.C.

In October 2008, BGC presented its second annual live broadcast from the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) World of Bluegrass in Nashville, where BGC hosts interviewed more than 50 artists on air. BGC’s own Katy Daley was a finalist for IBMA Broadcaster of the Year.

Also in October, BGC joined Twitter, which gave bluegrass fans a new way to connect with the station.

In December 2008, BGC took a big step in engaging the local bluegrass community when it launched the station on 105.5 FM, a local translator in Reston, Va. This new frequency allows listeners in parts of northern Virginia and Montgomery County, Md., to hear the station on traditional analog radio, while complementing its presence online and on HD Radio.

In March 2009, BGC released an iPhone application that enables listeners to directly access the station’s digital music stream from the iPhone desktop. It was the first all-bluegrass music application in the iTunes Store.

Also in March, BGC attended MerleFest, an annual tribute to the music of Doc and Merle Watson held in Wilkesboro, N.C. Finally, host Lee Michael Demsey graduated from IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of advanced level learning experiences examining the challenges and opportunities facing bluegrass music.

“i really appreciate the great music you play on your show (The Ray Davis Show). thanks again for recording and preserving our great heritage.” – Jason, BGC listener

On April 25, 2009, BGC premiered a new show, Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown, hosted by Lee Michael Demsey. The program airs the last Saturday of each month.

Throughout the year, BGC continued its great tradition of in-studio performances, hosting the Del McCoury Band, Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein, the Gibson Brothers, Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, Bela Fleck, Missy Raines, Bearfoot, the Doerfels, Dede Wyland, Kenny Ray Horton, Wayne Taylor, Gold Heart, Jordan Tice, and Alan Jabbour and Ken Perlman.

In April, BGC took the live-performance tradition outside the studioby hosting its first live “Open Mic” with Rockledge at Fireflies in Alexandria, Va.

“dear Mr. spottswood, i have enjoyed your programs and Cds for decades. i thank you for all the good music and words that i’ve listened to these many years.” – sid, BGC listener

scythian performs at the BGC open house

lee Michael demsey and Katy daley

the del McCoury trio performs in-studio


WAMu 88.5 local news During FY09, the WAMU 88.5 newsroom enhanced its ability to inform listeners about the people and issues of the Washington region. The newsroom added several new full-time editorial positions, including a full-time Morning Edition producer, a full-time assignment editor/producer and a full-time arts and culture reporter.

On-air hosts Matt McCleskey, Bill Redlin, and Pat Brogan; morning producer Rebecca Blatt; assignment editor Meymo Lyons; morning engineer Erin Stamper; and the entire news team worked together to expand the content and quality of news produced. The newsroom integrated strong local and regional news content into the national broadcasts of Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

“i was listening to the news on WAMu this morning, and a clip began about teenagers in a group home.My first thought was that it was going to be a negative story, but it turned out to be a positive story about these teenagers passing out gift baskets for Christmas. i stopped watching television news a long time ago, because it is just too depressing (or silly). i realized this morning that one of the reasons i like to get my news from WAMu is that there is a wonderful balance of important national and local news, as well as positive and interesting stories.” – Kate, WAMu 88.5 listener

The newsroom added and expanded several segments, including “This Week In Congress” and a Friday evening wrap-up of news from Capitol Hill, produced in partnership with Capitol News Connection; “Art Beat,” a daily segment that highlights cultural events put on by Washington-area arts organizations; and “Conversations,” interviews with people who make a difference in the community. The segment airs Wednesdays during Morning Edition and All Things Considered and is available in an extended form at wamu.org.

The newsroom expanded the station’s coverage of northern Virginia by employing three part-time reporters who also work for newspapers located in the region and whose knowledge of its people and issues has resulted in more in-depth and consistent coverage of the area.

WAMU 88.5 news and The Washington Post began a new partnership on Friday mornings to produce a weekly wrap-up of the top regional news stories with Robert McCartney, the longtime Post Metro editor who recently became a columnist. On-air hosts also began periodically interviewing Post reporters to provide our listeners with a deeper understanding of metro area issues.

Listeners also gained a platform to have a dialogue with WAMU 88.5 commentators and listeners in the “Commentary Forum” section of The Conversation, the station’s online social network, and offer news tips and story ideas to the assignment editor.

In September 2008, Bill Redlin, the local voice of WAMU 88.5’s Morning Edition since 1985, moved to middays. In addition to his duties as the midday news anchor/host, Bill assumed a greater role in mentoring the newsroom’s less-experienced journalists. Soon after assuming the duties of local news anchor/host for Morning Edition, Matt McCleskey and his producer, Rebecca Blatt, initiated a series of live newsmaker interviews that included Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.

The news team offered extensive coverage leading up to the 2008 presidential election by focusing on the roles that northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland played in electing a new president. Newsroom interns produced two multipart news series on the role young voters played in the presidential election.

On Inauguration Day, WAMU 88.5 reporters, in partnership with NPR, provided listeners a sense of place by broadcasting from daybreak to nightfall from numerous locations throughout the region. WAMU 88.5’s on-air signal was transmitted through the extensive speaker system along the inaugural parade route so that the people assembled there could hear the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol. WAMU 88.5 reporters served as witnesses to history for the thousands of people gathered along the parade route and those who listened to their radios and online. The Chesapeake Associated Press Broadcaster’s Association honored WAMU 88.5 News with its award for documentaries in the radio category in recognition of the news team’s multipart series of reports documenting the plight of new immigrants to the Washington region.

Bill Redlin

Matt McCleskey


A VoiCe for the CommUnity

the Community Minute

In its third year, the Community Minute continued to provide area nonprofits valuable exposure for their good work in many areas of need in our community. This year, WAMU 88.5 profiled the work of 47 area nonprofit community organizations on air and online.

“one of the sales executives with WJlA was driving to work one morning listening to WAMu and she happened to react very strongly to the Community Minute on parkinson’s disease. As a result, WJlA hosted a telethon for us that was partially funded by the Washington nationals. We also were able to create a 15-second commercial and a 30-second commercial for the 2.5-hour telethon. From that activity, we received about 300 new potential constituents who can use our help, in addition to great visibility. All of this absolutely came about because of the 30-second Community Minute on your radio station. Community Minute is a fundamental piece of work that you do. the message: “Who knows where it could lead?” - lou nistler, executive director, parkinson Foundation of the national Capital Area

FY 2009 Community Minute topics and organizations • Free asthma screenings — American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology

• Organized sports programs in underserved areas of Washington — A Greater Washington’s Field of Dreams baseball and softball program • Affordable housing — Enterprise Community Partners Inc.; Manna Inc. • Literacy in prisons — Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop; Books to Prisons • Art as therapy for mental health problems — CREATE Arts Center’s Studio Downstairs • Communication between generations about sexual health — The Women’s Collective’s “Sister Act” program • Helping families leave poverty behind — A Wider Circle • Colorectal cancer screenings — Virginia Association of Free Clinics; Baltimore City Colon Cancer Screening Program • One-on-one tutoring and mentoring in Anacostia — Facilitating Leadership in Youth; Horton’s Kids • National Preparedness Month — Ready America; Fairfax County’s Community Emergency Alert Network; Alert DC; Arlington County’s Arlington Alert System; Montgomery County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Alert Montgomery; Department of Homeland Security’s Community Emergency Response Teams; American Red Cross of the National Capital Area; Virginia and Maryland State Animal Response Teams; Volunteer Fairfax’s Emergency Response Program; Humane Society of the United States; Fairfax County Special Needs Registry; Federal Emergency Management Agency • Mortgage default and delinquency counseling — Greater Washington Urban League; Department of Housing and Urban Development • Primary care resources for the uninsured — Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County, Mercy Health Clinic; Unity Health Care Inc.; Arlington Free Clinic • Helping children cope with homelessness — Capital Interfaith Hospitality Network; Homeless Children’s Playtime Project • National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month — Alzheimer’s Association • Mentoring helps children and mentors alike — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area; Experience Corps • HIV/AIDS in the District — Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc.; National Minority AIDS Council • Helping vulnerable seniors through the economic crisis — IONA Senior Services; Episcopal Senior Ministries

this year, WAMu 88.5 profiled the work

of 47 area nonprofit community organizations


• Prenatal care for low-income women — Healthy Babies Project; March of Dimes Maryland– National Capital Area Chapter • Filling the “gap hours” after school with enrichment programs — Higher Achievement Program; The Fishing School; Neediest Kids • Homelessness in winter — N Street Village; St. Luke’s Shelter; Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless; Carpenter’s Shelter; D.C. Hypothermia Hotline • Men suit up for workplace success — MenzFit and Career Gear • Resources for Parkinson’s disease — Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area • National Poetry Month — Folger Shakespeare Library’s Poetry-in-Schools program; The Writer’s Center • Help for victims of sexual assault — D.C. Rape Crisis Center; Montgomery County Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program; City of Alexandria Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program


the Community Council

The WAMU 88.5 Community Council is the station’s community advisory board as defined by the Public Broadcasting Amendments of 1981. The council assists WAMU 88.5 in fulfilling its mission of community engagement by carrying out activities designed to strengthen ties between the station and the community it serves. It represents the diverse interests of the listening public in regular meetings with WAMU 88.5’s staff and management, serves as the station’s eyes and ears in the community, and periodically reviews its goals and significant decisions.

The council consists of up to 22 members, including one ex-officio member, who live within the coverage area of the station, are contributing members, and wish to preserve, promote, and strengthen the radio service provided by WAMU 88.5. Members serve staggered three-year terms beginning in January. The council’s nominating committee makes recommendations that the full council votes on at its December meeting. Station management makes the final appointments.

Fy 2009 WAMu 88.5 Community Council members:

Kenneth E. Barnes Sr. (Chair)Dale Clayton Morrison (Vice Chair)

Chuck Bean Patricia N. MathewsGeorge H. Bohlinger III Nancy Sanger PallesenLouis Bransford Donald R. QuayleMary Briggs Kathleen SheekeyLaura Chambers Kathryn S. SmithMaria Gomez Peter Tannenwald (ex-officio)Manuel Hidalgo Amy TruesdellMurray Horwitz Alexander D. WilsonLee Kirstein Victoria Zuckerman Judge Anita M. Josey-Herring

Council meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. At its final quarterly meeting of calendar year 2008, the WAMU 88.5 Community Council unanimously approved the nominations of the following three new members:

Judge Anita M. Josey-Herring, associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia

George H. Bohlinger III, of Easton Hanover Partners, LLP, who formerly served as the president of the Community Foundation of Greater Washington

Donald R. Quayle, a member of the board of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, who was the first president of NPR and the director of broadcasting at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

the WAMu 88.5 Community Council is the station’s

community advisory board


Community Dialogues

More than 15 years ago, WAMU 88.5 and the Community Council launched a series of community dialogues. These discussions, which are held with community leaders on a variety of issues, provide valuable, in-depth information and contacts for WAMU 88.5’s reporters and producers. The dialogues have helped the programming and news staffs better understand critical community issues and provided a forum for the participants to communicate and discover common goals. During fiscal year 2008, the council sponsored the following community dialogues:

“emergency preparedness in the Washington Metropolitan Area” — June 26, 2008 Panelists included the director of the Office of National Capital Region Coordination at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the CEO of the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, the Nonprofit Roundtable, as well as representatives from Fairfax County Police and Emergency Management, who head programs to provide for the sheltering and possible evacuation of the handicapped and pets during a natural disaster or other emergency.

“the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia” — oct. 7, 2008 Adam Tenner of Metro TeenAIDs assisted Council Chair Kenneth E. Barnes Sr., CEO and founder of ROOT Inc., in putting together this discussion about what is being done to combat the alarming incidence of HIV/AIDs in the District of Columbia.

“the Status of the Health Care Safety net in northern Virginia” — nov. 25, 2008 Council members Nancy Pallesen, CEO of the Arlington Free Clinic, and Patricia N. Mathews, executive director of the Northern Virginia Health Foundation, brought together representatives from health care centers that are struggling to provide care for uninsured residents of northern Virginia. “What’s the Reality for youth in the District?” — Feb. 11, 2009 This dialogue featured a discussion of a comprehensive data book produced as part of the World Bank Group-funded East of the River Initiative. The Urban Institute, in collaboration with the D.C. Alliance of Youth Advocates and its member organizations, developed the report as a resource for planning, advocating, and evaluating programs designed to help youth successfully transition to adulthood.

“using Music and Art to Address Social tension & Help Disparate Groups Communicate” — April 16, 2009 This dialogue, organized by council member Mary Briggs, director of cultural development for Arlington County, included artists, dancers, actors, high school teachers, and former students who have benefitted from the programs they instituted.

during fiscal year 2008, the council sponsored five

community dialogues


Community partnerships

WAMU 88.5 partners with community and cultural organizations around Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland to sponsor events of interest and importance to our listeners.

Fy 2009 Media Sponsorships

• May 16, 2008: Cherrydale United Methodist Church presents Williams and Clark Expedition • May 28, 2008: The American Folklife Center presents Opalanga Pugh • June 16–23, 2008: AFI/Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival • July 2008: The Music Center at Strathmore’s BSO Summer Concert Series • July 12–13, 2008: 11th Annual Common Ground on the Hill Roots Music and Arts Festival • July 24, 2008: The American Folklife Center presents The Zionaires: Gospel Music from Maryland and Delaware • Sept. 13, 2008: Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District’s Arts on Foot • Sept. 14–24, 2008: Washington District of Columbia Jewish Community Center’s Hyman S. & Freda Bernstein Jewish Literary Festival • September 17, 2008: The American Folklife Center presents The Bajich Brothers: Tamburitza Music from Kansas • October 12, 2008: D.C. Bluegrass Union presents The Infamous String Dusters and Jordan Tice • Dec. 5–23, 2008: Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District’s Downtown Holiday Market • Dec. 13–14, 2008: Children’s Chorus of Washington Holiday Concerts • Jan. 16, 2009: Sixth and I Historic Synagogue’s Fifth Annual Shabbat in Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel • Feb. 6–March 22, 2009: Synetic Theater presents Dante • March 9, 2009: Washington Performing Arts Society presents Paddy Maloney with the Chieftains • March 11–22, 2009: Environmental Film Festival • March 12, 2009: The Transition Network presents An Evening with Diane Rehm • March 27, 2009: Washington Performing Arts Society presents Kodo Drummers • March 28, 2009: George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium presents The Voice of La Vie En Rose: Jil Aigrot • April 2009: Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s Jazz Appreciation Month • April 6–8, 2009: Young Playwrights’ Theater’s New Play Festival • April 16–26, 2009: Filmfest DC • May 5–June 14, 2009: Folger Shakespeare Library presents Arcadia • May 9, 2009: D.C. Bluegrass Union’s Seventh Annual Spring Concert


American university Radio

WAMU 88.5 is committed to helping further the goals and purpose of its licensee, American University, by contributing to the university’s primary commitments to:

• Foster international understanding• Generate new knowledge beneficial to society• Apply knowledge through student experiential learning• Maximize the advantage of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan setting

American Forum

Every year, WAMU 88.5 collaborates with the American University School of Communication to produce a series of American Forums. These one-hour panel discussions bring together academics, journalists, elected officials, and public policy-makers to address and debate issues related to media and public affairs. The forums are free to the public and recorded live at the Mary Graydon Center on the AU campus for later broadcast on WAMU 88.5 and wamu.org.

Fy 2009 Forums

“Are we in a political youthquake?”7 p.m., Oct. 14, 2008| Jane Hall, American University School of Communication professor and FOX News contributor, moderated this discussion of the youth movement in politics, including panelists Cornell Belcher, Democratic strategist; David Winston, Republican strategist; James Kotecki, video blogger for Politico.com; Emily Freifeld, multimedia producer for washingtonpost.com; and Heather Smith, executive director of Rock the Vote.

“politics and pundits — the promises of the new presidency and the press”7 p.m., Nov. 11, 2008 | Moderator Mark McDonald and his guests, Bob Schieffer of CBS News’ Face the Nation, CBS News political consultant Dotty Lynch, Project for Excellence in Journalism director Tom Rosenstiel, Politico columnist Gebe Martinez, and politics@theEAGLE editor Tony Romm, discussed the lasting impact of the most-covered presidential campaign in history and the key media moments in the election.

“Washington Watchdogs: An endangered Species?”6:30 p.m., Feb. 17, 2009 | Professor Wendell Cochran moderated a discussion about the survival of Washington news coverage with panelists including: Mark Whitaker, Washington bureau chief of NBC News; Melinda Wittstock, founder and CEO of Capitol News Connection; Bill Kovach, founding chairman of the Committee of Concerned Journalists.

“Are Media Making us Dumber? Intellect, Ignorance, and Influence in the Digital Age”9 p.m., Apr. 1, 2009 | Dr. Danna Walker, James B. Simpson Fellow at American University’s School of Communication, moderated a discussion with panelists Susan Jacoby, author of “The Age of American Unreason”; professor Kathryn Montgomery, author of “Generation Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet”; Andy Carvin, senior strategist for online communities at NPR; and Josh Hatch, multimedia producer for USA Today. They discussed a cultural shift in which digital media are distracting us and contributing to ”junk thought” and also addressed the flip side, a possible new age of enlightenment in which all are part of the conversation.

Au professors who appeared on WAMu 88.5

the Diane Rehm Show• Brian Lee Sang, “Paying for College,” Feb. 26, 2009 • James Thurber

“President Obama Takes Office,” Jan. 21, 2009 “The Presidential Transition Process,” Nov. 6, 2008

every year, WAMu 88.5 collaborates with American

university to produce a series of American Forums


“Readers’ Review: ‘The Plot Against America’,” Oct. 29, 2008 “Congressional Reaction to Pressure for a Wall Street Bailout,” Oct. 1, 2008

• Naomi Baron, “Always On,” July 8, 2008

the Kojo nnamdi Show• Michael Carroll, “Textbook Prices and Piracy,” Aug. 20, 2008• Keith Gill

“Heading to The Big Dance?” March 5, 2009 “Your Turn” Feb. 5, 2009

• Jeff Jones, “Heading to The Big Dance?” March 5, 2009• Neil Kerwin, “Scholar-Athletes & March Madness,” March 18, 2009• Charles Lewis, “Nonprofit Newspapers?” Feb. 11, 2009• Jacqueline Linde, “Local Graduate School Admissions and the Economy,” Jan. 8, 2009• Karen O’Connor, “Women and the Political Glass Ceiling,” June 12, 2008• Diane Orentlicher

“A New Phase in International Criminal Law?” Feb. 3, 2009 “Rectifying Past Wrongs — El Salvador & International Human Rights Law,” Nov. 18, 2008

• Nancy Polikoff, “Beyond (Straight & Gay) Marriage,” May 19, 2008• Jamin Raskin

“Maryland DNA Rules,” Jan. 5, 2009 “The Real Election Day,” Dec. 15, 2008 “The Politics Hour,” Nov. 14, 2008

• Joshua D. Sarnoff, “Patenting Genes,” June 4, 2009• James Thurber

“Lobbyists and Power in American Politics,” Sept. 2, 2008 “Local Politics, Ethics, and Public Appearance,” June 18, 2008

• Shalini Venturelli, “International Perspectives on the Election,” Nov. 5, 2008 • David Vine, “Social Science and the Pentagon,” Aug. 6, 2008


educational ImpactIn addition to the American University students who work at WAMU 88.5 through the Federal Work Study program, WAMU 88.5 also hosts interns. These students show a tremendous deal of initiative in pursuing professional development, and WAMU 88.5 benefits greatly from their efforts year–round.

“i’ve worked at WAMu 88.5 for more than two academic years, and i’ve learned so much in my time here. My experience in the Marketing and Communications department was incredibly beneficial in getting a summer internship. in researching and writing the Community Minute every month, i’ve learned a lot about the district and its people, and all of the organizations and nonprofits in the area. the staff here is all so friendly and helpful, and i’ve really enjoyed my time here.” – Jane Granville, American university student

WAMU 88.5 News InternsChristopher Karakiewicz, Wright College, ChicagoGinan Nakshbendi, University of Southern California, Los AngelesLyndsay Ryan, Georgia State University, AtlantaVictoria Saucnier, Eastern State University David Smith, University of Maryland, College Park, Md.Abby Sykes, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.Mana RabieeEllis M. O’Neill, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

The Kojo Nnamdi Show InternsMatthew Streib, Northeastern University, BostonAnne K. Minoff, Columbia University, New YorkJennifer Lee Dennard, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.

Content Operations InternsAlexandra Dianne Danistrom, Franklin College, SwitzerlandAntonia Gudnadottir, American University, Washington, D.C.Meredith Cavin, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tenn.

WAMU 88.5 also serves as an ambassador to the international media community by hosting several international visitors throughout the year, including:

May 6, 2008 — John Holt, director of engineering and operations, and Richard Cassidy, director of content operations, met with 17 engineers and technicians from Cameroon, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These engineers were in Washington to take courses at the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI).

June 4, 2008 — a group of 12 journalists from Portugal visited with John Holt, Program Director Mark McDonald and General Manager Caryn Mathes. The journalists were here on a program sponsored by the State Department’s International Visitor Program and the Luso-American Foundation (FLAD), a private Portuguese institution.

July 8, 2008 — As part of the USTTI training project, Holt and Cassidy met with 18 engineers and technicians from Antigua, Barbuda, Bangledesh, Cameroon, Mongolia, Nepal, Uganda, and Zambia.

Sept. 18, 2008 — USTTI’s curriculum coordinator brought two students from Uganda and Zambia to meet with John Holt and Richard Cassidy.

April 22, 2009 — Caryn Mathes, News Director Jim Asendio, and John Holt met with a group from the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. The 10-member delegation from North Africa and the Middle East was taking part in a program called Creative Broadcast Programming. In addition, Kay Summers, director of marketing and communications, and Anthony Washington, volunteer service coordinator, hosted five civic and youth organization workers from Azerbaijan to discuss volunteerism. The Meridian International Center arranged the visit under the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.


WAmU 88.5 onLine

As we continue to push our content to more platforms, WAMU 88.5’s Web site, wamu.org, remained an important destination for our listeners and members. This fiscal year saw a 22 percent increase in visits to wamu.org, compared with the FY 08, which had a 10 percent increase in site visits over FY 07. This continued increase can be attributed to a variety of factors, most notably:

• Our listeners’ interest in the year’s significant news stories, such as the elections and the financial crisis • A continued increase in our local coverage of news and arts • Our debut on various social media platforms • An increase in our own marketing efforts

Additionally, a redesigned bluegrasscountry.org launched in February 2009 to incorporate more bluegrass news, original content, and better revenue potential.

“i travel extensively for my work. staying in touch with the u.s. and the news can be hard, so whenever i find myself with a good internet connection i make a beeline for WAMu’s Web site. Right now i’m in Bamako, Mali, listening to Weekend Edition. i’ve listened to you from egypt, Jordan, Malawi, Madagascar and Mongolia (and no, i don’t only visit countries beginning with M!). i listened to the conventions over the internet from newfoundland, Canada. i’ve heard morning traffic reports in the middle of the night and snow warnings when i was in places blazing with heat. if i can listen to WAMu, i know i’m not totally at the end of the world.” -Joy, online listener

Social Media

This was the year that social networking emerged in the national consciousness, and WAMU 88.5 was there to take advantage of it. In May 2008, WAMU 88.5 launched The Conversation at conversation.wamu.org. The social network is a gathering place for listeners, producers, and reporters to share information and discuss the news. The Kojo Nnamdi Show has used The Conversation to solicit listener questions and seed the discussion ahead of live broadcasts; Metro Connection has used it to get information on segments ranging from urban nature walks to Ethiopian food in the District. Both Diane Rehm and Kojo Nnamdi have conducted frequent chats on The Conversation, drawing on-air listeners into online discussions after the show.

As Twitter became a part of the language, WAMU 88.5 moved quickly to leverage its potential for engaging our listeners. People now can follow The Diane Rehm Show (@drshow) and The Kojo Nnamdi Show (@kojoshow) on Twitter and find out what’s coming up; most importantly, they can tweet their questions to Diane and Kojo from a computer or cellphone. Followers can track other followers to see a part of the conversation that never makes it on air — the kind that’s conducted in 140 characters or less. WAMU 88.5 News, Bluegrass Country, and the station itself are also on Twitter.

WAMU 88.5 also moved onto Facebook to engage its listeners. The Diane Rehm Show quickly amassed thousands of fans, all eager to talk with other fans about what’s on the show. The Kojo Nnamdi Show, Bluegrass Country, and WAMU 88.5 are also on Facebook.

“so glad you’ve extended your show to Facebook and twitter. this way all questions can get aired, and folks can learn from each other as well. the conversation can also carry on even after the show.” – david, The Diane Rehm Show listener and tweeter

Avatar for the Conversation


teChnoLoGy

The Information Technology and Content Operations Unit continued to expand the availability of WAMU 88.5’s content on new platforms and actively promote the use of new devices for listening to WAMU’s three digital channels on portable HD radios, Internet radios, iPhones, and iPods. To improve webstreaming services, the IT unit replaced and expanded Web audio streaming systems to provide CD-quality streaming and initiated a cost-saving agreement with a leading provider of reliable, high-quality streaming services.

“thank you so much for such a great show and for being available on podcast. When i moved to Boston, i was afraid i wouldn’t be able to listen to WAMu, but thank goodness for the internet.” - travis, podcast listener

The WAMU traffic unit developed processes and procedures to improve the content and placement of program promotional announcements and effective daily reminders about the critical importance of membership support to WAMU. The unit won recognition from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for its leadership in developing an effective My Source campaign, in which on-air messages of support from listeners underscored WAMU 88.5’s value to its community of listeners. Within the station, IT supported all station departments by updating mission-critical digital audio automation computers and expanding automation servers to improve on-air operations and reduce program impairments. It replaced 20 percent of desktop computers and significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of staff workflow by streamlining access and security and providing remote-access capabilities for internal staff and remote producers.

the it unit promotes the use of new devices for listening to WAMu’s three digital channels


WAmU 88.5 fUndinG

Development

Membership CampaignsIn its May 5-9, 2008, spring campaign, held during Morning Edition, WAMU 88.5 welcomed 1,352 new and returning members. Overall, 2,096 members donated $228,700.50. The station also partnered with Polk Audio to offer drawings for two new Polk Audio I-Sonic ES2 Entertainment Systems.

More than 10,500 listeners helped surpass the goal of WAMU 88.5’s fall membership campaign, held Oct. 18-24, 2008, by giving more than $1.3 million; 300 volunteers also helped field 2,500 calls from members. While members donated more than $100,000 to our Save-a-Day campaign, donors including the Wallace Genetic Foundation and the station’s Leadership Circle and Community Council contributed $132,000 in member matches. WAMU’s Bluegrass Country received $35,684 from 245 donors, thanks in part to a $10,000 member match from a single donor.

During WAMU 88.5’s winter membership campaign, held Feb. 14-20, 2008, more than 10,600 listeners helped the station exceed its $925,000 goal by contributing more than $1.2 million. Supporters donated $50,600 in member matches, which gave callers opportunities to double the impact of their gifts, and $75,000 through our Save-A-Day pre-campaign effort, which allowed us to end the on-air portion of the campaign one day early. An Ellicott City, Md., listener also won a “Trip for Two to London,” offered by British Airways. WAMU’s Bluegrass Country welcomed nearly 400 members who contributed $36,289.

“thanks to you and some very fine journalists at WAMu and npR, today i donated to public radio for the first time. You have no idea how strongly i feel about the service you provide and how much i would like to help this continuing endeavor. Keep up the good work.” – Kush, WAMu 88.5 member

WAMu 88.5/Zipcar Vehicle Donation partnership The station celebrated Earth Day during April 2009 with two partners, Zipcar and Charitable Auto Resources. WAMU 88.5 donors who donated their vehicles in April were eligible for a one-year membership and a $150 driving credit from Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing program. By month’s end, 183 WAMU 88.5 listeners and two Bluegrass Country listeners donated their vehicles — a 316 percent increase over last April’s program. WAMU 88.5 received nearly $600,000 in net revenue from the vehicle donation program during FY09, exceeding $2 million in net revenue during the life of the program, which began in November 2004.

Sustaining MembershipOver the course of the fiscal year, more than 2,000 WAMU 88.5 donors became sustaining members with recurring, monthly contributions.

eventsOn May 23, 2008, 100 members who donated during WAMU 88.5’s winter 2008 campaign enjoyed orchestra section seats at the live rehearsal performance of A Prairie Home Companion at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. They were also treated to a pre-performance reception catered by Rocklands Barbeque.

In the fall, 100 people took advantage of a ticket offer from WAMU 88.5 for “best seats in the house” to see the October 4, 2008, performance of humorist David Sedaris at George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium.

volunteers answering the phones during a

membership campaign

A volunteer answering the phones during a

membership campaign


leadership CircleMore than 45,000 annual members support WAMU 88.5; of those, a special group of generous supporters choose to donate at a higher level and become part of the Leadership Circle. Members of the Leadership Circle are philanthropic investors who believe this station is a vital, quality-of-life institution worthy of their personal support. Their financial generosity enables WAMU 88.5 to expand its vision, develop programs, and employ new technologies that will better serve our community. Leadership Circle membership starts at the $1,000 level and offers unique benefits, including an annual reception to meet WAMU 88.5 hosts and producers, day sponsorships to share personal messages on air, and invitations to special events.

“i returned to d.C. in 1992, having lived in Belgium for four years. As i had never mastered French or Flemish, i came back starved for news in english. When i first turned on WAMu, i felt as if i had opened a box of the finest Belgian chocolates — the program choices were tantalizing, every show assiduously prepared, and each morsel of news added to my well-being. even though i have missed several meetings trying to catch the end of a morning program and lost sleep listening to the night programs, i will never give up my addiction to WAMu.” – Joan Murray, leadership Circle member

leadership Circle eventsOn May 4, 2008, WAMU 88.5 supporters gathered at Restaurant Nora in Washington, D.C., for dinner with Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of The Splendid Table. The James M. and Frieda E. Montgomery Foundation, Restaurant Nora, and Development Advisory Council members including Dick and Barbara Kaufmann, Virginia McArthur, Raymond J. and Susette K. Gustini, Dale and Kent Morrison, and Vicki and Harvey Zuckerman sponsored the evening.

On Oct. 23, 2008, 55 members of the Leadership Circle attended the 27th annual American University President’s Circle Dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Four days before the presidential election, WAMU 88.5 hosted a live broadcast of The Diane Rehm Show’s “Friday News Roundup” from the Newseum. The Oct. 31 broadcast was followed by a luncheon with Diane Rehm catered by Wolfgang Puck.

Following the Jan. 10, 2009, live broadcast of “Obama’s Washington and the World,” a live town hall meeting hosted by Kojo Nnamdi and the BBC’s Owen Bennett-Jones, Leadership Circle donors were invited to a private reception to meet the hosts and panelists.

Producer-level supporters of WAMU 88.5 enjoyed a salon event with Scott Simon, host of Weekend Edition Saturday, on March 29, 2009. Development Advisory Council member Dale Clayton Morrison and her husband, Kent, hosted the event.

On April 2, 2009, WAMU 88.5 held its annual Leadership Circle reception at the Katzen Arts Center at American University. Nearly 80 members enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with WAMU 88.5 hosts, including Diane Rehm and Kojo Nnamdi, General Manager Caryn Mathes, and American University President Neil Kerwin. Well Dunn Catering provided food and libations.

From Sept. 16–Oct. 1, 2008, nearly 80 travelers from the Washington area and nationwide joined Diane Rehm on a cruise through the heart of Europe. Stops included Vienna and Linz in Austria, and the cities of Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, and Cologne in Germany. During the cruise, Diane led discussions on topics including the economy and the first presidential debate of the 2008 election. Diane and John Rehm also hosted a pre-cruise reception on Aug. 28, 2008, and a post-cruise reception Jan. 25, 2009, at their home.

lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of The Splendid Table

leadership Circle reception at the Katzen Arts Center at

American university


WAMu 88.5 Development Advisory CouncilWAMU 88.5 is privileged to have a committed group of appointed volunteers who embrace the call to serve and accept the responsibility to lead as members of the station’s Development Advisory Council. Members are zealous advocates for the station, enthusiastic communicators of its mission, and generous financial supporters who play an integral role in leadership fund-raising activities.

Fy 2009 Development Advisory Board Members

Richard D. Kaufmann, ChairVictoria Zuckerman, Immediate Past ChairClifford BrodyDale Clayton MorrisonRaymond GustiniDr. William R. LeahyViriginia A. McArthurDonal O’ConnellPhillip Wakelyn, Ph.D.Kathy Wiseman

Individual Major DonorsIndividuals who have given $1,000 or more to WAMU 88.5 during the fiscal year ending April 30, 2009:

FY 2009 Foundation and other Grants

Anonymous (1)Armstrong Family Charitable Foundation Fund of the San Antonio Area FoundationThe Austin Foundation, IncThe Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private non-profit corporation funded by the American people to help support diverse and innovative non-commercial programmingWilliam M. and Linda R. Dietel Philanthropic Fund at the Northern

Piedmont Community FoundationMax and Victoria Dreyfus FoundationGoodall Family FoundationHorwitz Family FundMorse & Betty Johnson Family FoundationThe Kaul Family FoundationThe Kiplinger FoundationThe Leon FoundationNathan & Pauline Mash Family Foundation of the Associated Jewish Charities of Baltimore

Mesa Fund of Tides FoundationBenjamin J. Rosenthal FoundationH. Rubenstein Family Charitable FoundationSagalyn Family FundWilliam J. and Sally R. Siegel Foundation Ltd.Esther Simon Charitable TrustSunrise FoundationNelson Talbott FoundationThe Wallace Genetic FoundationWJS Foundation Inc.

Visionary level ($25,000 or greater)

Victoria P. & Roger W. SantMarsha & Alan Paller

Director level ($10,000 – $24,999.99)

Thomas & Patricia KennedyGrace and Chapman Taylor

Broadcaster level ($5,000 –

$9,999.99)

Anonymous (1)Janice & Larry ClarkJune R. HechingerRichard and Barbara KaufmannVirginia A. McArthurStacy E. Palmer

Violet G. RaumHattie Ruttenberg & Jonathan MolotHeidi Stock & Frank LapradePaul & Chandler TagliabueKenneth & Dottie Woodcock

producer level ($2,500 – $4,999.99)

Anonymous (4)Anthony Angell & Dirk PetersonAnnie L. Burns & John T. MonahanLynne H. Church & James H. SkilesBev DenboKashiyo Enokido & Thomas C. Crouse Jr.Karen W. and John H. FergusonAnn and Tom FriedmanJudy and Steve Hopkins

Mary Kennedy and Gerald FisherAnn and Knight A. KiplingerTed & Grace Anne KoppelLinda B. MillerEstate of Ernestine M. MooreDale Clayton-Morrison & Kent MorrisonJoan MurrayJane Petit-MooreDeborah Carliner and Robert A. RemesAmy R. Sabrin & G. Evans WittDeanne H. SharlinElaine U. Sloan & John HudsonHardee Mahoney & Juan S. VegegaIrene & Alan WurtzelEllen and Bernard Young


patron level ($1,000 – $2,499.99)

Anonymous (14)Anita and Kenneth L. AdamsEsthy and Jim AdlerNazir AhmadDeanna S. and Charles T. Akre Jr.Ann and David W. AllenGeorge M. Alvarez-CorreaJane and Stephen M. AndersonWilliam L. & Catherine L. AndersonBentley R. AndrewsDonald G. and Rosemary AveryAnne and Don AyerMichelle BaldacciRob & Chris BambergerRhoda & Jordan BaruchBarbara E. BaumannElizabeth BauschDavid G. & Pauline L. BeanKyle & Alan BellElizabeth R. BensonSusan and Alan BerlowDana BestJune BlalockGeorge H. Bohlinger III & Keith L. CarrAlice R. & Mark A. BowerJean R. BowerPhilip BrantonDavid W. BriggsClifford BrodyJere & Bonnie Broh-KahnCraig S. BrooksCharles Nelson N. BrowerKeirn C. BrownJulie V. BruingtonWilson W. BryanB. Bernei & Amelie BurgunderMary M. Cabriele & David S. HudsonCarter CafritzDonna CallejonNora & Juan CameronCarol A. CampbellCharles & Kathleen CarlsonVicki J. CarlsonAmy E. Carroll, Esq.Deborah G. CarstensJoan R. ChallinorLinda M. ChandleeJay W. & Heidi A. CheskyVirginia G. ChewMunsok ChongViet Chu & Shushan AleaquiSylvia ClarkTom & Elizabeth ClarkRobert CluckBonnie R. & Louis R. CohenJoann B. Coleman

Ruth Ann ComptonDavid N. Cook & Ann Thompson CookJeffrey A. CooperNancy CrismanAnne CrossLeslie DanoffAnnie C. DavisInez M. DayerDr. Martha Bridge DencklaDaniel and Judith DeutschBrenda DixonMary DominiakMarcia K. Dorst Elizabeth Downes & A. Patrick DoyleMatthew J. Downs & Raiffa DownsRonald DunnJean H. DurfeeSuzanne DuvalLaurie EffronAndrew P. EkblawSamuel & Maryann EllsworthCatherine B. ElwellLois H. & Richard England Sr. Susan R. EthertonRobert E. & Carolyn W. FalbMarilyn FanaroffSusan S. FarrVictor and Judy FazioJulie H. FinleyJennifer FischerNina M. FiteSusan J. FoxLisa FrehillRoyce E. and Alan J. FriedmanSimon A. FritzlanNavroz GandhiMargaret GardnerMichael J. & Kathleen GearyLisa Koteen GerchickElsa GibsonWalter R. Gillette III & Carol-Lynn ClatterbuckNanci GiusRobert L. GlassThomas K. & Kathryn P. GlennanJo Anne GlissonWendy M. GoldbergHelen M. GoldeAndy GoldsteinVeronica Gomez-LoboSusan E. GordonRoberta K. & Michael H. GottesmanDonald E. GrahamBradford H. Gray & Helen DarlingBruce D. GraysonJudith B. GreenMaria GuidoRaymond J. Gustini

Dennis L. HaarsagerLibby Cater HalabyJulie and John HamreCurtis W. HarpoldRuth A. & John C. HarrisScott B. & Barbara HarrisCatharine A. HartzenbuschHarriette & Charles HobbsMargaret L. HoblerElisabeth N. & Frederick S. Holmes Jr. Cynthia A. & Roland A. HooverAdrienne HopkinsJohn & Isabelle C. HopkinsonSally Ann HostetlerEdward & Lois HowlinHarold & Beverly HunterPraveen JeyarajahAnne Hale Johnson & Arthur W. JohnsonMichael & Carol JosephLeslie KahnFlorence A. KaltovichWarren K. & Carolyn J. KaplanJanet KatowitzSusan and Pradeep KaulDavid H. Kinney & Stella KochLee G. KirsteinLinda KisnerJay L. Kloosterboer & Barbara ZicariJerry KnollLouisa Koch & Robert LynchSusan KochLisa KountoupesBeth M. KramerAlisa LangeJohn S. Langford III & Barbara J. LangfordWilliam R. and Christine M. LeahyMark and Carol LevinSeth & Rona LeymanJudith Lichtenberg & David LubanSonja C. & John W. Lightbody, JrLinda Lipsett & Jules BernsteinBeatrice M. LongoriaSam P. & Eileen H. LongstreetMona L. LutnesMolly C. LynchMolly E. LynchKent W. Lynn and Gregory S. ThomasC. Peter Magrath & Deborah HowellJoanna W. MaguireKathleen A. MaloyForbes E. and Sara E. ManerB. Thomas MansbachLinda I. Marks & Rafael V. LopezCaryn G. MathesCathy M. MattaxSusan & James D. Mayer


Harriet McGuireStevenson McIlvaine & Penelope BreeseBeverly E. MckeeRaymond R. & Nancy J. McKinleySarah & Grey McLeanMichelle & David McNallyDuncan L. McveyDavid E. MeadeMarion MeaderDouglas F. MearnsEric Melby & Pamela MelbyTerry L. Michell & William DodgeMatthew J. & Patricia A. MillerRobert N. & Pamela M. MirelsonPhoebe MixChristy MoberlyBetty M. MontgomeryJames Kevin Moran William “Casey” Murphy & Desi AvilaRobert C. and Barbara MusserCarl E. & Undine A. NashJeffry H. and Eileen NelsonPaul D. O’Brien & Susanne OwensDonal O’Connell & Kathy SierraJohn P. O’DonnellNancy O’RourkeKathryn O’TooleJulie & Ray PangelinanSusan M. PattersonTed and Jim PedasMary Louise PeeryLaura B. Pennycuff & Sander A. GlickKate H. Phillips-ConnollyMarvin D. & Melanie T. PinkertAnne L. PlantAndrew L. & Sandra PollnerRobin & Cornelis PotharstSuzanne M. PowersE. Kemp PrughSatyavrat PurohitMaureen A. RaleyRoger H. Reeves & Ruth H. Lammert-ReevesDiane and John RehmJack ReidhillDr. F. Turner Reuter and Nancy B. ReuterJohn I. and Peggy RichardsonAnnie R. RicksMargaret K. RindlerAlice M. Rivlin & Sidney G. WinterStephen E. Roady & Celia A. RoadyMaryann Roberts & William L. BabcockSteve & Cokie RobertsAndrew RodriquezWilliam B. and Sandy B. RogersSara Rosenbaum

Molly N. RossThomas A. & Gwen RoweRobert J. RyanDenyse SabaghCarol A. Sadler & Steve GeimannJoseph L. Saloom III & Anne M. SaloomSharon Schoeller and Edward SaltzbergJane V. SaundersDiane Sauter, M.D.Jean Schiro-Zavela & Vance ZavelaRoberta ShafferMartha & Joseph M. ShannonSusan M. and Richard S. SilvermanAnnette F. SimonAndrew & Melanie SingerMaxine & Dan SingerBonnie P. Smith & Michael L. SmithMaria Petschek SmithTammy J. SmithThomas M. SmithSteven SnappFredda S. Sparks & Kent MontavonKatherine St. JohnSusan L. StambergCharles V. StanhopeNancy E. StanleyMark StencelJohn I. Stewart Jr. & Sharon S. StoliarofMalan S. StrongJoanna SturmRobert M. SullivanMatthew and Kay SummersRosemary M. & Mark D. SumpDana E. Surrey & John DalyMarsha E. Swiss & Ronald M. CostellKirk Talbott & Yvette SasseenDeborah TannenBruce N. TanzerDavid and Charlotte TaylorRobert & Bonnie S. TempleClifford D. ThomsonHelen R. TothPaul & Marie TraveskyLawrence & Monica TremontiJoe UrbanoRobert & Christine Van KirkNicole & Brian VannJudith VetterWilliam W. and Priscilla VodraErnst & Sara VolgenauPhillip J. Wakelyn, PhD and Ms. Suzanne DeFrancisMallory and Diana WalkerCarol R. & John J. Ward Jr.Cris WasiakAstrid M. WeigertDr. Ray R. Weil

Robert A. WeinbergerKristopher WeinholdLoribeth Weinspein & Charles BethelMarvin F. WeissbergSuzanne & John WelchSusanne & Harrison WellfordHeijia & Willis WheelerLeslie WheelockDiane WilshereKinsey WilsonSally WilsonTom & Cathie WoteckiKathleen & Linton WrayPandit F. WrightAngela Stent Yergin & Daniel YerginAndrea & Dendy YoungJessica R. & Stephen P. ZdraveckZophia ZukowskaVictoria & Harvey Zuckerman


20th Century Fox A.U. Kogod School of Business A.U. School of Public Affairs A.U. Washington College of Law AAMC Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Abt Associates, Inc. AC Technology Academy for Educational Development Ad Team AdvaMed AEG Live Aerospace Industries Association AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center African Continuum Theatre Aid for Africa AISGW Alchemist Alliance for Abundant Food & Energy Altarum Institute Amelia Island American Academy of Nursing American College of Medical Genetics American College of Radiology American Institute of Architects American Middle-East Economic Affairs American Public University American Public Works Association American Technology Services, Inc. American University School of CommunicationsAmerican University Washington College of Law American Wind Energy

American Wind Energy Association America’s Agenda Amnesty International USA An American Affair Angie’s List Annapolis Friends Meeting Annual ReviewsApplied Signal TechnologyAPTAArchdiocese of Washington Arena Stage Arnold DC Association for Internal Practical Training Association of American Railroads Atlantic Monthly Press Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore Bank of America Bansal Foundation Bantam Dell Publishing BBC America BBC Video Bearing Point Bechtel Corporation Bethesda Magazine Bethesda Theatre Bike DC Bill Maher Show BioTech Industry Organization Blattner Brunner Blue Note Records Blue Water Media BlueCross BlueShield Association Books-A-Million Booz Allen Hamilton BrandClik Broad Residency

Corporate underwriting

WAMU 88.5’s generous corporate underwriters contribute approximately 50 percent of the station’s operating budget. This corporate support helps secure the resources necessary for WAMU 88.5 to advance its commitment to provide quality radio programming and to maintain its position as one of the nation’s premiere public broadcasting institutions.

FY 09 was an exciting year for the WAMU 88.5 corporate underwriting department; national sales increased by $540,000, or 45 percent, and sales to new sponsors increased by $3.2 million. Overall, corporate revenue grew to nearly $7.2 million. In addition, WAMU 88.5’s online and Bluegrass Country underwriting sales provided reliable revenue streams.

“politics and prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse has been pleased with its WAMu-FM underwriting partnership. our sponsorship placement on The Diane Rehm Show reaches exactly the right audience: people who read, are interested in current writers, and who support an independent bookstore.” – Jeanie teare, politics and prose Bookstore, WAMu 88.5 underwriter

List of WAMU 88.5 Underwriters for FY 2009

Brodeur Worldwide Brookings Institution Press CAFT Candlewick Press Capital City Nurses Capital One N.A. Career College Association - CCA Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Castalian Music CBIZ CCM Computer Science Co. CDW-G Certified Financial PlannerCFA Society of Washington, D.C. Charles County Economic DevelopmentChesapeake Bay Trust Chevron Texaco Chevy Chase Bank Children’s Defense Fund Citrix Civil War Center Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at MD College Savings Plan of Maryland Columbia University Comcast Commerce Bank Compete Coalition Constellation Theatre Consumer’s Union Corcoran College of Art & Design Corcoran Gallery of Art Cornell University Corridor Inc., Magazine Crossroads Media


Crystal City Business Improvement District CSPAN DocumentaryCTIA, The Wireless Association Dahn Centers of Greater Washington Dakshina Darden College Datarabia Decoder Ring Theater Discovery Channel DK Publishing Duke University - Environmental Leadership Program ECON4U Edelman Public Relations ELAN Ellington Fund Emerging Markets Group Environmental Film Fest Epson Printers ETSY Eurovision Americas, Inc.E-Verify Fairfax County EDAFall Into St. Michaels Families USA Father Martin’s ASHLEY Fidelity Investments Foley Hoag Folger Shakespeare Library Ford’s Theatre Foundation for the National Archives Free Press Friends of the National Arboretum G.P. Putnam’s Sons Gavi Fund Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund & Leadership Institute General Dynamics Information Technology George Mason University School of Public Policy Georgetown University German Embassy Global Impact Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau Greenfield/Belser Ltd. Hadji Oriental Rugs Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance Harbor School Corporation Harper One Harper Perennial Harvard Law School HBO Healthcare for America Now Heldref Publications (World Affairs Journal) Hillwood Museum & Garden

Hirshhorn Museum Historic London Town & Gardens Hodgson Consulting Honda Hyperion Books I.M.P. IBM IDP Films Imagination Stage IMG ArtistsInternational Bluegrass Music Museum InterActionInternational Legal & Business ServicesInternational Relief and Development International Spy Museum Inter-Op.Net IONA Senior Services Jamestown 2007 JHU-Carey Business School John F. Kennedy Center Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University - Advanced Academics Johns Hopkins University Engineering Programs Junior League of Washington Kelley Habib John/Dentaquest Kenan Flagler Business School Kennedy Krieger Institute Knight Foundation Laborer’s International Union of North America Law Offices of Stewart and Stewart Lexus Linden Vineyards Lindsay Cadillac Lionsgate Bethesda Lisner Auditorium Live Nation LivescribeLong Branch Historic House & Farm Loyola College Loyola College in Maryland Macro International Maggio & Kattar, P.C. Marian Koshland Museum Maryland Department of AgricultureMaryland Mountainside Maryland Renaissance Festival Marymount University Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care McIntire School of Commerce University of VA MerleFest Messe Duesseldorf Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc.

MHI Tyson’s Reserve Microsoft Miramax Miriam’s Kitchen Moment Magazine Momslikeme.comMonsanto Montgomery County Hazardous Waste Program Montpelier Arts Center Moroccan American Center National Association of Counties National Child Medical National Federation of Independent Business National Geographic Live National Theatre Navigation Arts New England Journal of Medicine New York Times New York Times Digital - NYTimes.com Newseum Nixon Peabody LLP Noblis Nonesuch Records Nordstroms Northrop Grumman Norwegian Embassy NPower Greater DC Region Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide OKeefe & Company Olney Theatre Center Outback Concerts Oxfam Palm Beach Show Group Pappabello Shows Inc. Park Potomac Place Peace Corps PEN/Faulkner Foundation Peter G Peterson Foundation Physician Hospitals of America Picturehouse Pineapple Alley Catering Politics & Prose Washington Population Reference Bureau Potomac Hospital Pulte Homes Pulte Homes (Hammer Companies) Putnam’s & SonsQuadrangle DevelopmentRandom House Randstad Redwood Palms Pictures Rehoboth Beach Film Festival REI Reiter’s Books Renewable Fuels Association Reveal MedSpa Robert H. Smith School of Business


Robert Half International Rocky Gap Resort Romano’s Macaroni Grill Round House Theatre Royal Norwegian Embassy RTI International SAP SAS Institute Inc Shenandoah University Sheppard Mullin Siemens Snow Time Inc. Society for Neuroscience SONY MUSIC NPB Sony Pictures Classics Children’s Villages-USA Sprint St. Anselm’s Abbey School St. Johns Community Services St. Mary’s College of Maryland Standard Solar Strat@comm Strathmore Studio Theatre Sun Microsystems Suntrust Suzy Boggus Concerts Inc Tai Sophia Tatum LLC Tech America Telework Tetra Tech Inc. The Art LeagueThe Art of Living FoundationThe Asia Foundation The Barrie School The Beehive The Choral Arts Society of Washington The Corn Farmers Coalition The Economist The Examiner The Folklore Society of Greater Washington The George Washington University The Goethe Institute The Healthy Back Store The Hill The Institute for Legal Reform The International Spy Museum The Key School The Kiplinger Foundation The Levine Group The Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance The National Building Museum The New School The Phillips Collection The Shakespeare Theatre

The Society of Cincinnati, Anderson House The State TheatreThe Textile Museum The Washington Blade The Washington Chorus The Washington City Paper The Washington Revels The Writer’s Center Theatre J. Thomas Nelson Towson University Trader Joe’s Tribute Productions Turnberry Tower UMBC UMBI UMD Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering UNICCOUniformed Service University United States Holocaust Memorial MuseumUniversity of Maryland College of Chemical & Life Sciences University of Pennsylvania Publication Services University of Virginia USA Network Vestas Wind Systems Vintage Virginia Wine Festival Virgin Money Visual CV Washington Ballet Washington College Washington Craft Show Washington DC Jewish Community Center Washington Home Washington Jewish Film Festival Washington National Cathedral Washington National Opera Washington Performing Arts Society Washington Teacher’s Union Weber Shandwick Wordwide Westminster at Lake Ridge WETA-TV William & Mary College, EMBA William & Mary Muscarelle Museum Willow Street Yoga Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition Witt Mares, PLC WNET New York Wolf Trap Foundation Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC Women Thrive Worldwide Yale MBA for Executives Your Dog’s Best Friends Zuckerman Spaeder


AmeriCAn UniVersity BoArd of trUstees, fy 2009

Gary M. Abramson, Chairman of the BoardJeffrey A. Sine, Vice Chair of the BoardGina F. AdamsStephanie M. Bennett-SmithRichard BeyerPatrick ButlerEdward R. CarrJack C. CassellGary D. CohnPamela M. DeeseDavid R. DrobisMarc N. DuberFuad El-HibriHani M.S. FarsiC.A. Daniel GasbyThomas A. Gottschalk Gisela B. HubermanC. Nicholas Keating Jr.Margery KrausCharles H. LydeckerRobyn Rafferty MathiasAlan L. MeltzerRegina L. MuehlhauserArthur J. Rothkopf Mark L. Schneider Neal A. Sharma

eX-oFFICIo tRuSteeSJerome King Del PinoCornelius M. KerwinJohn R. Schol

FACulty tRuSteeSStephen SilviaVirginia (Lyn) Stallings

StuDent tRuSteeDavid Teslicko


fULL-time stAff, fy 2009

Nikia D. AndrewsDoris AnismanJames R. AsendioSandra S. BakerRobert BambergerShannon L. BarrIvan BasauriSabri Juston Ben-AchourRebecca Sherman BerlinRebecca E. BlattWhitney BoggsTara N. BoylePat BroganPatricia Meloon BrownMatthew A. BushKavitha J. CardozaRichard CassidyCharles Andrea ChadwickJonathan N. CharryLois Gardiner ClarkMary E. CliffJoelle CostelloDenise CoutureJason J. CunninghamHeather M. DannenfelserRay DavisLee Michael DemseyVictoria E. DiazDesmond P. DongahueTamara N. EdgertonSusan S. FarhaFred FiskeGreg FitzpatrickJoseph J. FlowersJessica E. ForresStuart W. FosterDavid M. FurstJoseph P. GillWalter Ray GilletteNanci GiusCandace T. GnahouiKatherine B. GoldgeierJessica E. GouldJane C. GranvilleSebastian M. GreenAntonia Gudrun GudnadottirLauren Michelle GulleyCaroline J. HanlonAnthony V. HayesAnne Slattery HealyGary Andrew HendersonJeanine HerstJennifer C. HittLettie M. HolmanJohn M. Holt

Lucile Norman HornLisa K. HowardPatrice Antonette JacksonStephanie Elaine KayeMargo Karen KellyDavid KlattGeraldine M. KontosAntje KuchenbeckerDoreen N. LewisJames Patrick MaddenMichael F. MartinezCaryn G. MathesLisa McCartyMelanie L. McCartyMatthew McCleskeyMark McDonaldDon Michael H. MendozaMaria MisraStacy A. MitchellPatricia A. MoweryKaren Alice MunsonSusan C. NaborsBerta NajeraCarey NeedhamMary J. NeubergerKara Lynn NicholsJason M. NovakRex O.M. PaulMichael L. PopeWilliam J. RedlinJames T. ReederThomas C. ReepDiana A. RehmNancy RobertsonEmily E. RobichaudLinda P. SaundersTobey I. SchreinerDavid B. SchultzVirendra N. SilvaJonathan Paul SmithRichard SpottswoodErin E. StamperMeymo Lyons SturgesKay SummersBrendan C. SweeneyAndrea F. TravisDiane L. VogelEd WalkerTheresa A. WalkerAnthony William WashingtonBobby WebsterTrevor J. WhitneyJonathan R. WilsonJamye N. YoungAaron C. Zinck

A voice for the community.A Letter from WAmU 88.5’s GenerAL mAnAGer, CAryn G. mAthes This was an...

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