Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation

Deadline approaching for photographer fellowship

The Rick Jowett Fellowship was established in 2017 by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation to support educational opportunities for photographers and videographers who work in media in Wisconsin.

Recipients of the fellowship can use the grant for professional development in the areas of photography and videography. Applicants must specify how the funds will be used.

Potential uses include but are not limited to courses offered by the National Press Photographers Association, the Poynter Institute, or any accredited college or university.

This fellowship intends to award a total of up to $2,000 in grants annually to multiple recipients to cover part or all of the recipients’ expenses. … Read More

Wright, Koser join Legacy Club

Two WBA Hall of Fame inductees are joining the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation’s Legacy Club.

Duke Wright, President and CEO of Midwest Communications and Tom Koser, President and General Manager of Koser Radio Group, were named to the Legacy Club this spring.

The Legacy Club was formed in 1998 to provide a formal procedure and recognition for those who make bequests or agree to make bequests to the WBA Foundation in their wills.

For more information on how to join the Legacy Club, please contact Foundation President Michelle Vetterkind. … Read More

4 to be inducted into WBA Hall of Fame

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame was created in 1989 to honor broadcasters that have devoted a minimum of 15 years to the broadcasting industry including a minimum of 10 years as a Wisconsin broadcaster. The award recognizes an individual’s history of exemplary leadership in community and statewide service as a broadcast professional.

The first 12 members of the Hall of Fame were inducted during the 1989 WBA Summer Conference. Since 1989, 144 outstanding broadcasters have been honored with Hall of Fame inductions.

Inductees are chosen each year from nominations by WBA members, family members and friends. … Read More

Former Wausau anchor, lawmaker dies

Historic TV news anchor, WBA Hall of Famer, and former Wisconsin State Senator Walter John Chilsen has died.

Chilsen was a news broadcaster in Wausau and served six terms in the Wisconsin State Senate. He died on Christmas Day at the age of 95.

Chilsen began his career in 1949 at WLIN radio in Merrill. After three years he moved on to pursue a career in acting, first at Northwestern University and then in California. He returned to radio broadcasting with WLIN in early 1954 and then moved to WSAU radio in Wausau later that year. … Read More

Goetz remembered for contributions to radio in Wisconsin

WBA Hall of Famer Nathan Goetz is being remembered for his contributions to radio in Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

Goetz died Wednesday. He was 92.

The Monroe native built the Goetz Broadcasting Corporation from a single station, KMAQ, Maquoketa, Iowa, in 1956-58 to 12 stations in 1990 in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, including WFAW-WSJY, Fort Atkinson, WDLB-WLJY, Marshfield, WRDB-WNFM, Reedsburg, WQJY-FM, La Crosse. When he sold the company in 1999, he had 14 stations in seven markets and seven news, sports, and farming networks serving 140 radio stations.

Goetz served as treasurer of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association from 1968-86, … Read More

Strachota remembered for contributions to broadcasting, community involvement

Bernie Strachota is being remembered for his contributions during his 19-year career in Milwaukee radio. The WBA Hall of Fame broadcaster died Sunday. He was 96.

Strachota started his career in 1959 at what was then WRIT AM/FM and worked there until 1978. In 1962, he turned WRIT-AM, Milwaukee’s top “Top 40 Hits” station, into one of the first fully-automated radio stations in the country. He was also one of the first broadcasters in the country to grasp the concept of niche programming in radio. He designed the first “For Women Only” format for his FM station, … Read More

WBA Foundation Chair: Foundation ‘well positioned’

I am pleased to have the honor of serving as Chair of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation (WBAF). Foundation President and CEO, Michelle Vetterkind, provides outstanding leadership for the WBAF. I am happy to report that your Foundation is well positioned to be a strong partner with the WBA during 2019.

Communication with the WBA membership and the WBA board remain consistent and effective through Foundation reports in the WBA newsletter and WBAF reports presented at WBA Board and Executive Committee meetings. As Foundation Chair, my attendance at these meetings provides an excellent opportunity for WBA board members to provide direct feedback and guidance regarding the Foundation’s core activities of fundraising, … Read More

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