June 19, 2002

Contact: Janet Campbell, KANU, (785) 864-4603.

Longtime Kansas City broadcaster named to KANU Advisory Board

LAWRENCE -- After a distinguished career as a news anchor, Wendall Anschutz is bringing his broadcasting expertise back to his alma mater, the University of Kansas.

Anschutz, who spent 35 years as a reporter and news anchor for KCTV in Kansas City, Mo., has accepted a position on the KANU Advisory Board. KANU is the public radio station based at KU.

Anschutz worked at KANU as a student from 1958 to 1960, and then as the station's news director from 1964 to 1966 while he pursued his masterØs degree in broadcasting.

"Public radio fulfills a mission that no one in commercial broadcasting fills," Anschutz said. "It talks about everything that is interesting and important, instead of stories that will just get ratings."

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway made the board appointment in May.

"We are grateful to have a successful and dedicated alumnus like Wendall Anschutz willing to volunteer his services to the KANU board," Hemenway said. "He brings a wealth of broadcasting experience. His counsel will be especially valuable to KANU as it strengthens its position as the flagship public radio station in Kansas."

Anschutz joined KCTV5 (then KCMO) in 1966. In addition to anchoring, he has done extensive field reporting, more than a dozen documentaries, a historical series, commentaries and travel features. But his reporting isnØt confined to Kansas City. He also was the host of a 90-minute town hall meeting with President Bill Clinton, has interviewed presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, covered six national political conventions and was the first Western reporter granted permission to examine the deplorable conditions inside the walls of MoscowØs Petroskya Prison.

Among his numerous awards, Anschutz has won an Emmy for his investigative reporting; been named Broadcaster of the Year by the Kansas City Radio and Television Council; and been voted Best Local Television Anchor in a poll of KC broadcasters.

Other members of the KANU Advisory Board are co-chair Bev Menninger, Hank Booth, Karen Craig, Jett Elmer, Tim Elmer, Bob Georgeson, Dr. Brock Kretsinger, Bill Kurtis, Dr. Richard Meidinger, Barbara Meidinger, David Porterfield, James P. Sunderland and Beverly Caruthers Thompson.

KANU is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with special events including concerts, comedy shows, live broadcasts of nationally known shows and a birthday party.