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St. Olaf College reaches agreement to sell WCAL to Minnesota Public Radio

By Amy Gage
August 10, 2004

St. Olaf College has announced plans to sell Classical 89.3 WCAL, its noncommercial classical music FM radio station, to Minnesota Public Radio, based in St. Paul. Details of the sale are pending.

WCAL broadcasts classical music as well as news and information about arts and cultural events throughout the Twin Cities region. Licensed in 1922 as an AM radio station, WCAL FM today has more than 80,000 weekly listeners.

The sale is expected to close later this fall. Minnesota Public Radio intends to maintain WCAL's program service during a period of community consultation, which will help MPR determine the best public service for the station's future.

The college began considering a sale of WCAL when Minnesota Public Radio initiated discussions. "WCAL has been a wonderful asset for the college, and a vital part of our legacy," said college President Christopher M. Thomforde. "This sale is good for St. Olaf College and for Minnesota Public Radio, but most importantly, it is good for the students, who will benefit from new resources to invest in academic programs. "Great teaching is our core mission," Thomforde said.

Proceeds from the sale will go into the college's endowment, which will enable St. Olaf to enhance programs that further the college's mission. The Board of Regents, which owns the license for WCAL, will determine specifics. The market value of the endowment currently stands at $185 million.

St. Olaf was determined to sell WCAL to an entity that would reflect the values of St. Olaf -- a liberal arts college of the Christian church -- and that would appreciate the 80 years of dedication and hard work that went into building the station's programming and broad listenership. Given Minnesota Public Radio's mission "to enrich the mind and nourish the spirit through radio," as well as its 37-year history in public radio and regional network of 35 public radio stations, Minnesota Public Radio appeared the "perfect partner" to carry on the legacy of WCAL, Thomforde said.

Added Minnesota Public Radio President Bill Kling: "WCAL has been a significant public service institution for the Twin Cities for most of this past century. Our board wanted to help ensure that this wonderful community asset is preserved in the public broadcasting domain. We look forward to completing a plan that maximizes public radio service for the Twin Cities in partnership with Minnesota Public Radio's and WCAL's audiences."

The welfare of the approximately 20 WCAL employees is a top consideration for St. Olaf College. "I can't say enough about my staff," said station General Manager John Gaddo, a public radio veteran who has been in charge of the station since 2000. "All of us are proud of the 80-year tradition of WCAL and are heartened to know that the legacy will be carried on."

The future of signature national programs such as "Sing for Joy" and the annual broadcast of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival -- itself a decades-long tradition on WCAL -- is still under consideration. Patrick Communications of Ellicott City, Md., assisted St. Olaf College with the sale.

More on Classical 89.3 WCAL

  • The station has more than 80,000 listeners in the Twin Cities and Rochester areas, with broadcast transmitters in Rosemount and Rochester.

  • In 1971, WCAL was among 90 public radio stations brought together by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to found National Public Radio.

  • WCAL began as a student physics experiment in 1918. It was licensed as an AM broadcast station in 1922 and received its FM license in 1968.

  • With 8,000 members, WCAL enjoyed its highest member support ever in fiscal year 2004, with contributions of just over $860,000. The station finished fiscal year 2004, which ended May 31, with a balanced budget.

  • As of fiscal year 2005, St. Olaf College ceased its annual cash contribution to the station -- which was $130,000 in fiscal year 2004. The college makes in-kind contributions to the station, including the building that houses the station, which will now be used for other purposes on campus.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.