Foundation gives $1 million to KCLU
Donation will fund new center's Education Suite
The Education Suite will provide classroom and laboratory space where student interns can acquire hands-on experience in broadcast journalism.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – June 13, 2008) The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation has provided a $1 million grant to fund the Education Suite in the new KCLU Broadcast Center.
“The Board of Directors of the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation is pleased to be able to make this donation,” said foundation Chair Vickie Pozzi. “KCLU is an incredible jewel in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.”
Martin V. “Bud” Smith was a prominent Ventura County developer and philanthropist. He and his wife created the foundation in the early 1980s to enhance the quality of life for Ventura County residents by assisting community organizations that support arts, youth, seniors and the needy. Bud Smith was a member of California Lutheran University’s Board of Regents and received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the university. KCLU is a community service of CLU.
The Education Suite will provide classroom and laboratory space where student interns can acquire hands-on experience in broadcast journalism. This will allow CLU to expand its communication curriculum.
“We are so thankful for the foundation’s generous contribution toward the new state-of-the-art broadcast facility,” said CLU President Chris Kimball. “This Education Suite will provide invaluable, real-life experience to the broadcasters of tomorrow.”
KCLU has launched a $7.5 million broadcast capital campaign to fund a $5 million center, an endowment and other enhancements for the National Public Radio station. The 10,000-square-foot facility will include production rooms, a performance studio, a talk studio and a community room.
The new center will replace the tiny studio in CLU’s Mountclef Residence Hall where the station has produced award-winning local news and public affairs programs since it signed on in 1994.
KCLU is supported by its listening members and by underwriting from local, regional and national corporations and foundations. The station serves more than 70,000 listeners and can be heard in Santa Barbara on 102.3 FM, in Ventura County on 88.3 FM and around the world at http://www.kclu.org. For more information on KCLU or the campaign, call (805) 493-3900.