I am more excited about WDAV than ever before. Let me tell you why:
I joined the board of WDAV around 1998. During my early years on the board, I had no idea how radio in general or our station in particular worked. I had been a WDAV listener (and I think a WDAV member) since around 1983.
In the early 1990s I became more active in the cultural community, serving on boards of The Charlotte Boys Choir, The Symphony Guild, chairing our church’s Music Committee, the Youth Orchestras and fundraising for lots of others. During the late 1990s I joined the CSO and Opera Carolina boards. WDAV was always ready to do PSAs, set up a table at an event, donate CDs or mugs, and include events in its monthly magazine.
I noticed they often played music that I would then hear at a live performance by our own Symphony or Opera. By listening to WDAV, I always got a ‘heads up’ when someone special would be performing here. The more involved I became in our city’s performance culture, the more I realized the vital service WDAV provided.
After the building was finished, Kim Hodgson thought we should have a strategic plan to take advantage of the new facilities. The committee work was an education for us. I have always said that WDAV has its finger on the pulse of our cultural community. Now I knew the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of WDAV’s success. WDAV’s involvement with performers, ensembles, recordings and festivals connects all of us through the arts.
When Wilton & I started looking at major gifts, my experience on our cultural boards convinced me that the success of our cultural community is tied to WDAV’s success. So now you have the Catherine & Wilton Connor Broadcast Studio.
Under your leadership, our cultural community is growing. WDAV is and will continue to be successful by feeling the heartbeat of our culture and sharing that with our listeners.
I am thrilled with where we are going and how we are getting there.
Catherine Connor