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Northern Public Radio to dedicate visitors center June 19

June 16, 2014
Tim Emmons

Tim Emmons

Northern Public Radio (WNIJ and WNIU) will dedicate a new visitors center in honor of its former general manager during an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19. Tim Emmons, general manager from 1997 until his passing in 2012, left an indelible mark on this community in the form of Northern Public Radio as it is now known.

“When Tim lost his battle with cancer in 2012, Northern Public Radio established a special space in his honor; a room that would reflect the history of the station, yet be a place to plan for the future,” says general manager Staci Hoste. “With the help of grants and individual contributions, that dream has now been realized, and we’d like to thank our listeners for their support.”

Emmons first came to NIU in 1988 as assistant manager after stints at a public radio station in Normal, Ill., and a commercial radio station in neighboring Bloomington – his only excursion outside public radio. After hiring and supervising a WNIJ news team that won 32 national, regional and state news awards, he left for KWMU in St. Louis but returned as station manager in 1995. Fifteen months later, he became the interim general manager and, after a national search, made that role permanent in the summer of 1997. Emmons was instrumental in not only launching a second FM radio station – WNIJ – but also in re-shaping WNIU into the 24/7 classical music station enjoyed today.

“Early on, I just fell in love with the way public radio does news – the in-depth approach to covering issues and events – that is completely unlike what you find in commercial media, whether it’s radio or TV or anything else,” Emmons said in a Northern Now interview in 2009.

Those interested in attending should RSVP via email with guest name(s) or call 815-753-9000.

WNIJ and WNIU logosTim Emmons Memorial Visitor Center Dedication

Thursday, June 19, 2014
5-7 p.m. Open house and refreshments 
5:30 p.m. Dedication ceremony 

NIU Broadcast Center 
801 N. First Street
DeKalb, Ill.