Broadcasting (Oct - Dec 1949)

Respects (Continued /rom page 36) At the same time, since KGA j continues to be operated as a commercial, there have been no major ' changes in the program schedule or emphasis. Harvey Wixson continues as station manager, and the officials of Gonzaga have retained the services of the entire staff. "We feel fortunate in having the v.ealth of experience of those who have been with KGA over the years," Father Corkery said. "Their ' knowledge will be an invaluable ' asset. Basic station policy will be ' determined by Mr. Wixson, in conI sultation with the University." As the station's operation uni der university auspices develops, Father Corkery expects that increasing use will be made of the expert knowledge available from members of the faculty, in such varied fields as international relations, political science, political economy and education. In addition, visiting artists and lecturers who may come to Spokane under university .sponsorship will be afforded an opportunity to broadcast over KGA when possible. KGA's Primary Purpose Gonzaga has for some time offered courses in radio writing, journalism and broadcasting techniques, and these may be expanded. Father Corkery indicated, with KGA serving as an observation laboratory for the students. Primary objective of the station will continue as in the past, however, major emphasis being on the development of a varied program schedule which will attract both listeners and advertisers. For KGA is not to be an "educational station" in the sense that many college-operated facilities are; rather, the university regards the station as primarily a financial investment. While Father Corkery has had no previous experience directly in radio management, he does have an extensive background in administration and business affairs. Prior to his presidency of Gonzaga U., a post he assumed on April 12, 1945, he was for nine years president of Seattle College (now Seattle U.) where, during his term of office, the student enrollment leaned from 200 to 1,500. Gonzaga has experienced similar growth in recent years, and a peak registration of 2,000 was reached last fall. Father Corkery also has distinguished himself as a prominent civic figure in the Northwest by taking the lead in activities outside the realm of education. During the war years, he served as a member of the Regional War Labor I FOR INCREASED SPQ^ ^"■'■"^GS contact JOSEPH HERSHEY McGILLVRA. INC. 366 Madison Avenue, New York Murray Hill 2-8755 Board from its inception. The 50th General Military Hospital, sponsored by Seattle College, counts Father Corkery as its original godfather. The hospital, staffed with 60 physicians and surgeons, dentists and technical experts, and 115 nurses, saw active duty in the European Theatre during the Second World War. The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Corkery, Francis Edmund Corkery was born Jan. 17, 1903, in Springfield, 111., and was brought to Spokane at the age of eight months. He attended Webster Grade School, Gonzaga High School and Gonzaga U., all in Spokane, and later taught for four years at the university of which he is now president. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1920, immediately following his graduation from high school. In addition to further education at St. Louis U. and at Alma College in Santa Clara, Calif., he received his Ph.D. from Gregorian U. in Rome. His novitiate (first phase of training after entering the order of the Society of Jesus) was served at Los Gatos, Calif., and he was ordained at St. Mary's in Kansas. When Father Corkery took the presidency of Seattle College in 1936, he was the youngest college president in the United States. He is now also a member of the board of directors of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, the American Arbitration Assn. and the Assn. of American Colleges. He is a member of the college association's Commission on Academic Freedom and Tenure, and is chairman of the Labor and Industries Committee for the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. Major Expansions Made Under Father Corkery's presidency, Gonzaga U. had taken several major steps in its expansion program prior to the acquisition of KGA. First big step was construction of the $500,000 engineering building, recently completed. Next came the announcement, in the fall of 1948, that after more than 60 years of an all-male student body, the university would open its doors to coeds. More recently, plans were announced for construction of the Crosby Memorial Library, financed by a gift from Bing Crosby, Gonzaga alumnus and a classmate of Father Corkery. In the opinion of university officials, however, the purchase of KGA is perhaps the greatest step thus far taken in Gonzaga's expansion program. The station, which went on the air Jan. 8, 1926, with 10 kw, was part of the early "Northwest Triangle" network, developed by Mr. Wasmer to link Spokane with Seattle and with Portland, Ore. Today, KGA operates fulltime with 50 kw on 1510 kc, although an application is pending before FCC to change the frequency to 1030 kc. An alert, forceful man with graying temples and expressive UPSIDE DOWN or right side up it is still Earle Pudney, WGY-WRGB (TV) Schenectady, N. Y., radio and television star, accepting $25 check from the Y's Men's Club. When Mr. Pudney said he'd stand on his head on some busy street corner if some of his listeners would swell the purse strings of a lagging chest drive, members of the Y took him at his word. While he was at it, Mr. Pudney collected an additional $45.31 from spectators for the Community Chest. eyebrows. Father Corkery is aware of the potentialities of radio. He has established his presidential office at the KGA studios, so that he may be constantly in touch with station developments. And he recognizes that the advent of television will pose new problems for radio management, although he does not join the prophets of gloom who say radio will be dead in a few years. "I fully believe," Father Corkery said, "that despite the advent of television, radio will continue to play a very important role in the field of communication. When radio first entered prominently into the field of communication, there were those who sang the death knell of newspapers, magazines and particularly phonograph records. These were all supposed to have been outmoded by the advent of this new, great medium of communication. But today, the circulation of newspapers, magazines and particularly phonograph records has increased apace and reached a maximum never dreamed of in the early days of radio." Father Corkery has little time for personal hobbies. His chief concern has always been with education— and now, with the added duties of heading KGA, he sees added opportunities in education. Arch Kepner ARCH KEPNER, 34, continuity editor of WQXR New York, died on Nov. 27 at New York's Mt. Sinai Hospital. He had been ill for two months with cancer. Mr. Kepner joined WQXR in 1937. Paul W. Morency, Vice-Pres. — Gen. Mgr. ■ ,;jaiier joimson. Asst. Gen. Mgr. — Sales Mgr. WTIC's 50,000 WATTS REPRESENTED NATIONALLY BY WEED & CO December 5, 1949 • Page 41 BROADCASTING • Telecasting