Summer 2005 - John Brown University

A television newscrew interviewsKLRC staff andcontestants at lastyear’s spa giveawaypromotion.KLRC listenerseach placed ahand on the spa,and the last onestanding withoutremoving his orher hand wonthe spa.Arkansas, the people, in turn, continueto respond with appreciation for theservices the station provides.While the station is indeed proud ofits beginnings, the ministry of KLRChas flourished to become something noone could have foreseen at its inception.“[KLRC is] hardly the same station itwas twenty years ago,” Sawatzky stated.“In the early days, KLRC was yourtypical college radio station. Everybodyplayed the music they wanted to play; itwas off-air frequently; and there wereno listeners to speak of. I rememberthat KLRC went dark every nightaround 10:00 p.m., even until 1994 or1995. Obviously, listener response wasnot nearly as strong then as it is now—itVolunteers take pledgesduring KLRC’s annualSharathon. The two-dayfundraising event is precededby a day of prayerand praise, during whichlisteners are invited to callthe station with their testimoniesand praises. In2005, Sharathon broughtin about $370,000 forKLRC’s operating budget.1400 listeners contributed;about 600 of thosewere new gifts, while 800were renewal pledges.was truly just a college radio station.”These days, JBU and KLRC embracethe opportunity to truly affect lives witha ministry that God has blessed beyondanyone’s expectations. In the wordsof Sawatzky, “I love that we are partof something bigger than any of us. Ilove that God is using this 6,000-watt,student-staffed radio station to changelives in Northwest Arkansas. I lovehearing the countless testimonies ofhow God uses KLRC. I love that whileI hope to use my position at KLRC tobless others, I am often blessed myself.Even if I didn’t work at KLRC, I wouldbe blessed by the radio ministry itprovides.” ■Liz Smith ’05KLRC Student AnnouncerLiz Smith, a digital mediamajor/broadcasting minor fromColorado Springs, Colorado,served on the spring 2005 studentannouncing staff at KLRC. Shehas been an on-air announceron Monday mornings andWednesday afternoons. Liz hasenjoyed her time at KLRC, butadmits, in the beginning, shewas quite apprehensive aboutthe prospect of being “on-air.”Liz said, “Radio is not my strongpoint, and I was rather nervous.However, my Monday andWednesday shifts have becomesomewhat of a highlight of thissemester. I have come to viewthose four hours a week as timeset aside from doing anythingelse, and it has almost becomea ‘quiet time.’ I find it upliftingand edifying.” When asked whathas made her experience atKLRC so rewarding, Liz answers,“The people that work at KLRChave been so gracious andencouraging to me. They trulywant the best for the listenersand are constantly positive....Itis rare to find a place that holdssuch views and values in today’swork environment.”John Brown Bulletin Summer 2005 15