News Release
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April 6, 2005
Boise State President's Award Winning Radio Show Brings Unique Perspective To Idaho's Airwaves
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Boise State President Bob Kustra,
right, interviews National Public Radio President Kevin Klose in the
BSU Radio studios during a recent taping of “New Horizons in
Education.” |
What do
world-renowned biologist E.O. Wilson, former major league baseball star Bill
Buckner, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, University of
Idaho counterterrorism expert Rand Lewis and jazz and gospel singer Cherie
Buckner have in common?
Along with more than 70 educators, researchers, civic and business leaders, authors, activists, government officials and other newsmakers, they have all been guests on Boise State President Bob Kustra’s award-winning radio show “New Horizons in Education,” which is believed to be the only show of its kind in the nation.
In August
2003, after he had been on the job at BSU for just over a month, Kustra
began his weekly, 30-minute interview show on NPR News 91, Boise State’s
National Public Radio affiliate. Boise Schools Superintendent Stan Olson was
his first guest.
Since then Kustra has interviewed a blend of Boise State scholars (Alzheimer’s researcher Troy Rohn, DNA authority Greg Hampikian, biomechanics expert Michelle Sabick); researchers from other institutions (the University of Idaho’s Lewis and Mike Laskowski and Idaho State’s Laura Woodworth Ney); political figures (Crapo, U.S. Reps. Butch Otter and Mike Simpson and Boise Mayor Dave Bieter); and guest speakers who have visited the BSU campus (Wilson, Steinem, Pulitzer Prize-winning economist James Buchanan, bioethics expert David Magnus and best-selling author/Rabbi Harold Kushner). Figures from the arts, athletics, the high-tech industry, education and other walks of life have been Kustra’s guests; the names mentioned above are just a sampling.
An experienced broadcaster, Kustra hosted his own program when he was president at Eastern Kentucky University. Prior to that, he declined an offer to host a daily talk show on WLS in Chicago while serving as Illinois lieutenant governor.
“The goal is
high-quality, interesting radio,” Kustra said when “New Horizons in
Education” began. Mission accomplished. Last month the show was awarded a
Silver award for 2004 in the radio programming category of competition
sponsored by the Northwest district of the Council for the Advancement and
Support of Education.
“The average number of listeners who tune in to ‘New Horizons in Education’ is very solid and we are excited about the growth in the show’s audience,” said Jim East, NPR News 91 program director. “Dr. Kustra is an excellent communicator and provides a lively forum for the people and issues that impact Idahoans.”
The program also is unique in that it is believed to be the only radio interview show currently hosted by a university president on a public radio station. In fact, NPR President Kevin Klose believes “New Horizons in Education” is currently the only show if its kind.
“Having a president of a university licensee host a radio show of this nature is very rare,” Klose said during a visit to the Boise State Radio studios earlier this month. “The kind of show that Dr. Kustra is doing is what NPR and a university are supposed to be about. By asking tough questions on important issues of the day he provokes stimulating discussion, proving useful information for student and the public alike to make informed decisions.”
Klose had the
opportunity to experience Kustra’s interviewing style firsthand. He was the
Boise State President’s guest on the “New Horizons in Education” segment
that will air on NPR News 91 at 5:30 p.m. April 8.
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Contact: Bob Evancho, University Relations, (208) 426-1643
The Office of Communications and Marketing
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Boise State University
1910 University Drive -
Education Building, #726 -
Boise Idaho 83725-1030
208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001
email newservices@boisestate.edu
Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005