Goshen's loss; EMU's gain

goshen.edu

Jon Kauffmann-Kennel is hoping to “advance the station” during his tenure as WEMC’s station manager.

Jon Kauffmann-Kennel may bring more than just sixteen years of radio experience and some new ideas to WEMC. Some of his former students might just follow him here, too.

After five years as a program director for National Public Radio (NPR) station WVPE, Kauffmann-Kennel spent nine years at Goshen College's radio station WGCS, eight of those years as general manager. While at WGCS, he also taught some radio classes for Goshen College. It was here that he had a noticeable effect on students hoping for a future career in radio.

One student was especially outspoken about Kauffmann-Kennel's departure. "Frankly, I'm considering following him to EMU," said Junior Communication major Nick Gingerich.

While he doesn't have any plans to teach any classes at EMU, Kauffmann-Kennel's presence will indeed be felt. His plans for Virginia's oldest public radio station include strengthening programming; improving equipment, facilities, and internal operations; and pursuing fundraising opportunities.

"I sense an openness to look at making potentially significant changes that could really help to advance the station," said Kauffmann-Kennel.

One of the main reasons Kauffmann-Kennel was willing to leave his alma mater for EMU was that it was a full-time position as opposed to his less than half-time position managing WGCS. Even with his teaching on the side, he wasn't up to full-time hours.

The new voice of WEMC will also bring some excitement to those students who have hoped for more student involvement. As a student at Goshen, Kauffmann-Kennel was instrumental in getting student-led programming on the air. After becoming the program director, he admits to seeing a different side of the issue. "That really did become the biggest source of headaches for me," he said. But that doesn't mean he's ruled out the possibility for it here at EMU.

To hear Jon Kauffmann-Kennel's voice, tune your radios to 90.7 FM, WEMC.