Summer 2005 - John Brown University

Mike Kankelfritz ’94Radio Personality,KXOJ-TulsaWhile in high school, a relativetold Mike Kankelfritz, “You havea nice voice. Maybe you shouldthink of radio as a career.” Mikesoon began working in radioat his high school in Seattle,Washington. Shortly after highschool graduation, Mike decidedto attend college to further hisradio training, and Seattle’s losswas JBU’s gain.While attending JBU, Mikeworked at KLRC as a studentannouncer. His duties at KLRCincluded on-air broadcasting andcreating concert promotions.Mike has now been sendinghis voice over radio airwavesfor more than fifteen years,working at stations in Seattle;Fayetteville, Arkansas; GrandRapids, Michigan; and currentlyin Tulsa, Oklahoma. KXOJ100.9 in Tulsa is a well-knowncontemporary Christian stationand three-time GMA awardwinner. At KXOJ, Mike hosts themorning show from 6:00 a.m.– 10:00 a.m. and is a popularstation personality.Regarding his experience atKLRC, Mike says, “KLRC wasa great laboratory. At KLRC,you had the freedom to makemistakes, yet at the same time,you had to be professional…Some schools just have the‘campus radio station.’ KLRCwas and is much more thanthat.”KLRC’s “Coats for Kids” drive allowed listenersto contribute winter coats to benefit the needythrough Salvation Army locations in NorthwestArkansas. The first drive in 2004 wasso successful that KLRC plans to make it anannual event.and coveted honor of the GMA MusicAward (the Dove Award) for SmallMarket Radio Station of the Yearand was one of three finalists for thesame award in 2004. Additionally,KLRC continually receives nationalrecognition from other radio stationsand record labels in the industry. Allthings considered, JBU broadcastingstudents could not ask for a better placeto get started in the field.Today’s KLRC, however, doesnot stop with the goal of studentinstruction. “We are able to still provideexcellent [student] training whileattracting a weekly audience of almost40,000 people,” Sawatzky noted. Thestation’s staff is united in its purpose toprovide “a real service to the people ofNorthwest Arkansas.”Certainly, KLRC provides encouragingChristian music, but it is alsoinvolved in community outreach effortsthat include Operation ChristmasChild, Clergy Appreciation Month,Northwest Arkansas’ Biggest BabyShower, and Military Moms’ Day atthe Mall, just to name a few. Sawatzkyobserved, “It seems the more we focuson [serving the people] and the less wefocus on trying to achieve certain standardsof success...the more successfulKLRC actually becomes.”KLRC staff members prize theirconnection with the people who listen,and KLRC listeners are enormouslydedicated to supporting the station.As a listener-supported radio station,KLRC depends on financial donationsto fund its annual operating budget.This March, KLRC’s annual Sharathonbrought in about $370,000, surpassingthis year’s goal of $365,000 andradically exceeding the original 1996Sharathon total of $33,000. One onaircaller recently stated, “I am inspiredby the music and all you do, and weare praying for KLRC.” As KLRCreaches out to the people of NorthwestJBU students and KLRC announcers serve as hosts and waitstaff at KLRC’s Clergy AppreciationBanquet, a free event for area pastors. Approximately 200 attended the 2005 banquet.14 John Brown Bulletin Summer 2005