CWU Becomes Inaugural West Coast Site for National Radio Talent System Institute

Central Washington University will be the first West Coast site for an institute connected to Dan Vallie’s National Radio Talent System. Scheduled for June 13-22, it will be one of just five such institutes nationwide this year, designed to identify and instruct compelling on-air radio talent.

CWU’s participation is being sponsored by KCWU-FM and hosted by Hubbard Radio, a subsidiary of Hubbard Broadcasting, which operates radio stations across America—including five in Seattle—along with the Hubbard Radio Network.

“The unparalleled, professional foundation of Hubbard Broadcasting coupled with the expertise of Dan Vallie and the National Radio Talent System will give student broadcasters here the chance to launch their careers with an unprecedented skill set along with real-world understanding of the industry and what it takes to succeed,” stated Travis Box, KCWU-FM general manager.

Vallie added, CWU’s nationally award-winning college radio program, KCWU-FM, was a natural—and obvious—partner for the institute, which will feature top-flight radio broadcasters from across Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest coming to Ellensburg to lead institute training sessions.

“We begin this week accepting applications from students at Central and from [other] universities across the state and region,” he added.

Keith Champagne, associate dean for student development, pointed out that having CWU host an institute of this magnitude is another prime example of the university going above-and-beyond to provide opportunities not available elsewhere in Washington or regionally.

“Developing a partnership with Hubbard Broadcasting and the National Radio Talent System is a perfect match—a cornerstone—of what we do for our students at Central Washington University,” he said.

Ginny Morris, Hubbard’s chief executive officer, noted, “Our investment in the National Radio Talent System at Central Washington University is an extension of Hubbard Radio’s commitment to do our part to nurture and grow the talent pipeline for the industry.”

Media contact: Robert Lowery, director of Radio Services and Integrated Communications, 509-963-1487, loweryr@cwu.edu

February 9, 2016