When Essential Public Media announced Monday that it had signed an asset purchase agreement with Duquesne University to buy the licenses currently being used by WDUQ, it set a goal of taking over operations by July 1st. (See story posted May 2, 2011) With the sale pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission, it seemed to some like a near impossibility, however, at least one group working on the deal says it may not wait for the approval.
Susan Harmon is the Managing Director of Public Radio Capital and a Board Member of Public Media Company. She says a lack of FCC paperwork will not slow the process, “I think that we won’t have FCC approval by [June 30th] but if we can work on an operating arrangement with [Duquesne] University then that will be possible.” Public Radio Capital created Public Media Company to purchase and manage public radio stations across the country with the help of local partners. In the case of 90.5 FM, PMC partnered with WYEP to form Essential Public Media to purchase the WDUQ license.
Harmon says it typically takes the FCC 60 to 90 days to sign off on a license transfer so she does not expect the operating agreement to be in place for long. She says all the groups involved are working to quickly build the agreement.
At the same time, EPM is interviewing candidates to fill the post of general manager and has posted other job openings. Harmon says more job listings are expected in the coming weeks.
Showing posts with label Duquesne University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duquesne University. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
DU and EPM Ink Deal for 90.5 FM
A little more than two weeks after the April 15th deadline, Duquesne University and Essential Public Media have taken the next step in the process of transferring ownership of the license to broadcast at 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh.
In a brief statement, Duquesne University spokesperson Bridget Fare said, “Duquesne University and Essential Public Media have signed the asset purchase agreement for the sale of the station and the next step will be to file with the FCC which will happen shortly, and at that point in time the FCC will begin their 30-day comment period and both the University and E.P.M. are very pleased with this next step in the process and looking forward to moving along in that process.”
Essential Public Media is a nonprofit entity formed by local radio station WYEP and Colorado-based Public Media Company to purchase the license. Public Media Company was formed by Public Radio Capital with the goal of purchasing and operating public radio stations across the country in partnership with local entities. The WDUQ license would be the group’s first purchase.
EPM and WYEP Board Chair Marco Cardamone said, ”It is a very important milestone that we passed today and one of many that are yet to come, so a lot of work is still ahead.” The group is in the process of hiring an executive staff.
“Our intent is to still be operational by July 1,” said Cardamone, “that’s our goal, that’s our target date.”
The university has held the license for WDUQ for more than 60 years but decided in 2009 to sell the asset. A sale price of $6 million was arrived upon in January with Essential Public Media. That deal came with a 90-day deadline to gather funding.
“It is a very complicated transaction, as you might expect, and there were simply a few complications that needed to be worked out,” said Cardamone, “The attorneys did not feel comfortable unless we sort of satisfied every one of the items.”
Details of the finances are still to be made public but Cardamone says much of it is in cash with some seller financing.
UPDATE: Public Radio Capital's Susan Harmon says taking control of operations by July 1st may involve a operating agreement.
In a brief statement, Duquesne University spokesperson Bridget Fare said, “Duquesne University and Essential Public Media have signed the asset purchase agreement for the sale of the station and the next step will be to file with the FCC which will happen shortly, and at that point in time the FCC will begin their 30-day comment period and both the University and E.P.M. are very pleased with this next step in the process and looking forward to moving along in that process.”
Essential Public Media is a nonprofit entity formed by local radio station WYEP and Colorado-based Public Media Company to purchase the license. Public Media Company was formed by Public Radio Capital with the goal of purchasing and operating public radio stations across the country in partnership with local entities. The WDUQ license would be the group’s first purchase.
EPM and WYEP Board Chair Marco Cardamone said, ”It is a very important milestone that we passed today and one of many that are yet to come, so a lot of work is still ahead.” The group is in the process of hiring an executive staff.
“Our intent is to still be operational by July 1,” said Cardamone, “that’s our goal, that’s our target date.”
The university has held the license for WDUQ for more than 60 years but decided in 2009 to sell the asset. A sale price of $6 million was arrived upon in January with Essential Public Media. That deal came with a 90-day deadline to gather funding.
“It is a very complicated transaction, as you might expect, and there were simply a few complications that needed to be worked out,” said Cardamone, “The attorneys did not feel comfortable unless we sort of satisfied every one of the items.”
Details of the finances are still to be made public but Cardamone says much of it is in cash with some seller financing.
UPDATE: Public Radio Capital's Susan Harmon says taking control of operations by July 1st may involve a operating agreement.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Bioethics Might Take Medical Ethics' Place
Dr. Edmund Pellegrino says that medical ethicist and bioethics should be working together for the good of patients. Dr. Pellegrino, Professor Emeritus of Medicine and Medical Ethics at the Center for Clinical Medical Ethics at Georgetown University Medical Center, spoke at Duquesne University about medical ethics' relationship with bioethics. Medical ethics is the system of ethics that is applied to physicians and patient care, while bioethics is interdisciplinary and focus on the question that arise from bio-science.
Pellegrino says that bioethics was formed out of three main events, the first being the cultural shift that began in the 1960s away from previously trusted authority figures. He says that this distrust that happened around the time of the Watergate scandal caused the second event, a mistrust of physicians and medical ethics.
The third event was an acceptance of multiculturalism. "And that's all fine, but then again it began to confuse one cultural set of values with the right rules and this fed into the idea of individual determination. 'What's right and wrong is what I say it is, what I say it is, what I believe. And don't tell me anything different and don't argue with me."
Dr. Pellegrino stresses that instead of just accepting the values that one already has, there needs to be discourse and public examination of whether those are right or not. He says that without examination of whether things are actually beneficial to society or a patient there can be no true progress.
Pellegrino says that he sees two possible futures for bioethics. One is where bioethics take the place of Medical ethics. "No matter how highly organized we can be, not matter how technical we can be, how scientific we can be. The human condition of being will and wanting to be helped, cured if possible, at least relieved of pain and suffering will be universal. Don't leave that to this vague notion of bioethics. I'm asking you to leave it to physicians."
The second future would be one which he most likes, one where bioethics and medical ethics can work together. He says that the aim of both types needs to be figuring out how to best look at the human condition of being ill and working in the best interest of people.
Pellegrino says that bioethics was formed out of three main events, the first being the cultural shift that began in the 1960s away from previously trusted authority figures. He says that this distrust that happened around the time of the Watergate scandal caused the second event, a mistrust of physicians and medical ethics.
The third event was an acceptance of multiculturalism. "And that's all fine, but then again it began to confuse one cultural set of values with the right rules and this fed into the idea of individual determination. 'What's right and wrong is what I say it is, what I say it is, what I believe. And don't tell me anything different and don't argue with me."
Dr. Pellegrino stresses that instead of just accepting the values that one already has, there needs to be discourse and public examination of whether those are right or not. He says that without examination of whether things are actually beneficial to society or a patient there can be no true progress.
Pellegrino says that he sees two possible futures for bioethics. One is where bioethics take the place of Medical ethics. "No matter how highly organized we can be, not matter how technical we can be, how scientific we can be. The human condition of being will and wanting to be helped, cured if possible, at least relieved of pain and suffering will be universal. Don't leave that to this vague notion of bioethics. I'm asking you to leave it to physicians."
The second future would be one which he most likes, one where bioethics and medical ethics can work together. He says that the aim of both types needs to be figuring out how to best look at the human condition of being ill and working in the best interest of people.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Deal to Buy WDUQ Stalls
The 90-day deadline for Essential Public Media to pull its financing together to purchase the licenses to broadcast at 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh has come and gone without a deal being made.
Duquesne University announced in January that it had reached a deal to sell WDUQ’s licenses to Essential Public Media, which is a joint venture of Pittsburgh radio station WYEP and Colorado based Public Media Company. Essential Public Media is a non-profit formed by California based Public Radio Capital to purchase and help operate public radio stations across the country.
Duquesne University Spokesperson Bridget Fare says there are still a few details to hammered out on the $6 million deal. WYEP Board Chair Marco Cardamone says he expects the deal to be done some time next. Public Media Co. did not respond to a request for comment at a California phone number listed on its website.
Duquesne University announced in January that it had reached a deal to sell WDUQ’s licenses to Essential Public Media, which is a joint venture of Pittsburgh radio station WYEP and Colorado based Public Media Company. Essential Public Media is a non-profit formed by California based Public Radio Capital to purchase and help operate public radio stations across the country.
Duquesne University Spokesperson Bridget Fare says there are still a few details to hammered out on the $6 million deal. WYEP Board Chair Marco Cardamone says he expects the deal to be done some time next. Public Media Co. did not respond to a request for comment at a California phone number listed on its website.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Professor Develops Revolutionary Cancer Drug
Dr. Aleem Gangjee and his team at Duquesne University have received a $2.8 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue studying cancer-fighting compounds that target specific cancer cells and leave normal cells alone. The distinguished professor of medicinal chemistry at Duquesne created the drug to target a specific transport system that 20 to 30 percent of all cancer cells feature. Gangjee’s compounds carry drugs inside the tumor using the specific PCFT transporters. The drugs then cut off the DNA-synthesis machinery, killing the cell. Because the compounds use the specific transporter that is unique to cancer cells, healthy normal cells are unharmed. Gangjee says his compound acts as a sort of Trojan Horse. “The tumor cell doesn’t suspect that it’s taking up a fraudulent vitamin if you will, and once it gets inside the tumor cell is just blocks up the entire DNA-synthetic machinery,” he says. Gangjee’s drugs work on about a quarter of all cancers but works extremely well on some specific types of cancer cells. “There is some percentage in the 20 or 30 percent of tumors that do indeed express [the transport system]. The most prevalent kind that express this are ovarian cancer cells. Almost 90 to 95 percent of all ovarian cancer cells over-express this transport system,” he says. So far, there have been no side effects from the lab trials on mice. Gangjee hopes that the years of research following the discovery of this transport system in 2006 will lead to a clinical human trial by the time the grant runs up. “We’re sufficiently along in our preliminary studies that we are hoping at the end of this five years we should have a candidate hopefully ready for clinical trials,” he says.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Duquesne Law Students Win National Title
A team of Duquesne University law school students has won the national championship at the prestigious National Student Trial Advocacy Competition. The Duquesne team was among 235 teams from 148 law schools competing for top honors in the competition sponsored by the American Association for Justice (AAJ).
"We are extremely proud of the incredible performance of our trial moot court teams," said Law School Dean Ken Gormley. "The AAJ is considered one of the most prestigious and well-established competitions in the United States. This victory puts the School of Law and its respected trial moot court program in a very elite category."
Gormley says Duquesne team of Clancy Boylan, Sarah Bronder, Katie Chengery and Brendan McKenna, was the only trial team to go undefeated throughout the competition.
After three rounds of competition, Duquesne went on to win the semi-final and final rounds defeating teams from the University of Maryland, Pepperdine University, Campbell University, University of California, Berkeley and University of Iowa in head-to-head competitions.
The AAJ is the world's largest association of trial advocates with more than 60,000 members worldwide. Its goals are to promote justice and fairness, to safeguard victim's rights, and to strengthen the civil justice system through education and advocacy.
"We are extremely proud of the incredible performance of our trial moot court teams," said Law School Dean Ken Gormley. "The AAJ is considered one of the most prestigious and well-established competitions in the United States. This victory puts the School of Law and its respected trial moot court program in a very elite category."
Gormley says Duquesne team of Clancy Boylan, Sarah Bronder, Katie Chengery and Brendan McKenna, was the only trial team to go undefeated throughout the competition.
After three rounds of competition, Duquesne went on to win the semi-final and final rounds defeating teams from the University of Maryland, Pepperdine University, Campbell University, University of California, Berkeley and University of Iowa in head-to-head competitions.
The AAJ is the world's largest association of trial advocates with more than 60,000 members worldwide. Its goals are to promote justice and fairness, to safeguard victim's rights, and to strengthen the civil justice system through education and advocacy.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
DU Launches Energy and Environment Institute
In an effort to bring together experts in several fields related to energy and the environment, Duquesne University has launched a new institute. Associate Academic Vice President for Research Dr. Alan Seadler says the university has “strengths in economics, energy policy and law” and the institute will help them to better interact.
“Southwestern Pennsylvania has, because of its resources and history, a real key roll to play in the evolution of not only existing energy resources but also evolving energy resources, including alternate energy,” says Seadler. The institute is still in the very early stages and Seadler expects to see more outward activity in the coming month. “[We will] begin to look, and a hard look, at what are some of the decisions around what we are doing and what we are trying to do in the energy area.”
Seadler says the institute will primarily publish research papers and hold symposiums and seminars. He says he hopes the institute will provide a “neutral space for a dialogue” about energy while including both the industry and environmentalists.
“Southwestern Pennsylvania has, because of its resources and history, a real key roll to play in the evolution of not only existing energy resources but also evolving energy resources, including alternate energy,” says Seadler. The institute is still in the very early stages and Seadler expects to see more outward activity in the coming month. “[We will] begin to look, and a hard look, at what are some of the decisions around what we are doing and what we are trying to do in the energy area.”
Seadler says the institute will primarily publish research papers and hold symposiums and seminars. He says he hopes the institute will provide a “neutral space for a dialogue” about energy while including both the industry and environmentalists.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Earth Hour Calls Attention to Climate Change
Tonight from 8:30–9:30 the City of Pittsburgh will officially participate in the global event, “Earth Hour,” during which hundreds of millions of people, organizations, corporations and governments around the world will come together and turn off their lights to demonstrate a concern for climate change.
In 2007, the first Earth Hour occurred in Sydney, Australia with 2.2 million people turning off their lights in a show of support for efforts to fight climate change. Pittsburgh began participating the following year and in 2010, 128 countries took part in Earth Hour. That included 90 million Americans and iconic American landmarks, such as, Seattle’s Space Needle, the Las Vegas Strip, St Louis’ Gateway Arch, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
This evening Carlow, Carnegie Mellon, Chatham, Duquesne, Point Park and the University of Pittsburgh will all have buildings go dark for one hour.
Since 2008, Councilman William Peduto has led the effort to have Pittsburgh be a partner in this global event.
“I am proud of Pittsburgh’s continued environmental leadership. Pittsburgh’s universities have long been leaders of the region and it is only appropriate that they lead Pittsburgh’s Earth Hour efforts.”
In 2007, the first Earth Hour occurred in Sydney, Australia with 2.2 million people turning off their lights in a show of support for efforts to fight climate change. Pittsburgh began participating the following year and in 2010, 128 countries took part in Earth Hour. That included 90 million Americans and iconic American landmarks, such as, Seattle’s Space Needle, the Las Vegas Strip, St Louis’ Gateway Arch, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
This evening Carlow, Carnegie Mellon, Chatham, Duquesne, Point Park and the University of Pittsburgh will all have buildings go dark for one hour.
Since 2008, Councilman William Peduto has led the effort to have Pittsburgh be a partner in this global event.
“I am proud of Pittsburgh’s continued environmental leadership. Pittsburgh’s universities have long been leaders of the region and it is only appropriate that they lead Pittsburgh’s Earth Hour efforts.”
Friday, March 18, 2011
Free Session on Funding Tech Companies
Small businesses and university researchers can get some help in obtaining federal funding to grow their high tech companies and develop new ideas. The first of the free information sessions hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Duquesne University is Tuesday, March 22nd, followed by three daylong programs.
Cynthia Laurash, Consulting Manager at the Small Business Development Center, says the money is made available through the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research program (STTR). "So 11 federal agencies participate in these programs and they are required by law to share part of their R&D funds each year to solicit programs and research requests from small businesses."
Laurash says that both programs are under continuing authorization from Congress through the end of May. She says she believes Congress will work out a deal to keep the programs funded through the next 8-10 years because of their helpfulness to businesses.
Cynthia Laurash, Consulting Manager at the Small Business Development Center, says the money is made available through the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research program (STTR). "So 11 federal agencies participate in these programs and they are required by law to share part of their R&D funds each year to solicit programs and research requests from small businesses."
Laurash says that both programs are under continuing authorization from Congress through the end of May. She says she believes Congress will work out a deal to keep the programs funded through the next 8-10 years because of their helpfulness to businesses.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
U.S. Attorney General Speaks at Duquesne
Focusing on the importance of public service in legal practice, United States Attorney General Eric Holder gave the keynote address at the Duquesne University School of Law’s centennial anniversary today.
Holder says every law school graduate should have the opportunity to work in the public sector for at least part of his or her career. He says that would help America adhere even more faithfully to its “founding documents.”
The Attorney General also spoke about his tenure leading the Department of Justice, highlighting the emphasis on national security.
“The Department [of Justice] has responsibility as a civil division, an environmental and natural resources division, an anti-trust division, a criminal division, a tax division,” says Holder, “but I think I spend probably maybe 60 or 70% of my time on national security, whether it’s dealing with threats from al-Qaeda [or] dealing with problems in Mexico with the drug cartels.”
Holder says the main funding source for those drug cartels is the sale of marijuana in the U.S., which is the major reason he’s against legalizing the drug. However, Holder says he won’t use his Department’s limited resources trying to fight medical marijuana use.
Holder didn’t comment on the Obama administration’s decision to drop support for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.
Listen to Holder's Address here.
Listen to the Q and A following the address here.
Holder says every law school graduate should have the opportunity to work in the public sector for at least part of his or her career. He says that would help America adhere even more faithfully to its “founding documents.”
The Attorney General also spoke about his tenure leading the Department of Justice, highlighting the emphasis on national security.
“The Department [of Justice] has responsibility as a civil division, an environmental and natural resources division, an anti-trust division, a criminal division, a tax division,” says Holder, “but I think I spend probably maybe 60 or 70% of my time on national security, whether it’s dealing with threats from al-Qaeda [or] dealing with problems in Mexico with the drug cartels.”
Holder says the main funding source for those drug cartels is the sale of marijuana in the U.S., which is the major reason he’s against legalizing the drug. However, Holder says he won’t use his Department’s limited resources trying to fight medical marijuana use.
Holder didn’t comment on the Obama administration’s decision to drop support for the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.
Listen to Holder's Address here.
Listen to the Q and A following the address here.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
WDUQ Buyer Looks for Comments
The entity chosen by Duquesne University to purchase its licenses to broadcast on 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh is looking for the region’s feedback. Earlier this month Duquesne University announced that it plans to sell the license currently used by WDUQ to a new group know as Essential Public Media. The group is a joint venture of the WYEP board and Public Media Company. Public Media Company is a nonprofit recently launched by Colorado based Public Radio Capital, which helps community groups buy public broadcast licenses. Essential Public Media has launched a website with links to news stories about the sale, a video of the sale agreement news conference and a place for the public to leave comments, ideas and suggestions. WYEP Board Chair Marco Cardamone says this is one of the first steps in the process. “ We wanted to follow up from the press release with some presence for anybody who heard about the name to log on and to give us, as we said there, any comments about anything that they think about related to this whole issue,” says Cardamone, “it’s really a listening post for us, our first attempt to start listening to others.”
Cardamone says they have not yet advertised the website and he has not checked the page to see how many comments have been left. He says he expects there will be new information released sometime in the early spring. “Within the next 60 to 90 days we plan to have another announcement and press conference perhaps,” says Cardamone.
Cardamone says they have not yet advertised the website and he has not checked the page to see how many comments have been left. He says he expects there will be new information released sometime in the early spring. “Within the next 60 to 90 days we plan to have another announcement and press conference perhaps,” says Cardamone.
Friday, January 14, 2011
WDUQ Sold, Program Format Not Finalized
Duquesne University today agreed to sell WDUQ 90.5 FM to a new operating entity Essential Public Media (EPM), which is a joint venture of WYEP and Public Media Company, a non-profit formed by Public Radio Capital for $6 million.
Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty, WYEP Board Chairman Marco Cardamone and Susan Harmon, Public Radio Capital's Managing Director held a news conference Friday afternoon to discuss the transaction.
"Through WDUQ, Essential Public Media has an amazing opportunity to transform local journalism, offer reliable news and information, spark civic conversation and shed light on important issues," said Cardamone.
He said NPR programs that 90.5 listeners are used to hearing will continue but there's no decision at this time regarding the 100 hours of jazz aired weekly on WDUQ.
Listen to the news conference
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty, WYEP Board Chairman Marco Cardamone and Susan Harmon, Public Radio Capital's Managing Director held a news conference Friday afternoon to discuss the transaction.
"Through WDUQ, Essential Public Media has an amazing opportunity to transform local journalism, offer reliable news and information, spark civic conversation and shed light on important issues," said Cardamone.
He said NPR programs that 90.5 listeners are used to hearing will continue but there's no decision at this time regarding the 100 hours of jazz aired weekly on WDUQ.
Listen to the news conference
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
Duquesne Sells 90.5 FM
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Duquesne University today voted to sell WDUQ 90.5 FM to a new local ownership and operating entity, Essential Public Media (EPM), for $6 million.
This decision comes after the university did not accept an offer, believed to be larger, from the non-profit Pittsburgh Public Media (PPM). PPM had indicated that it would keep the NPR, local news and jazz format which made 90.5 the most listened to public radio station in Western Pennsylvania.
According to a university release, EPM is a joint venture of WYEP and Public Media Company (PMC), a nonprofit launched by Public Radio Capital.
"We recognize that WDUQ is a vital community resource as Pittsburgh's first public radio station, so we are pleased that we've reached an agreement that will continue its legacy of more than 60 years of service to the community," said Dr. Charles J. Dougherty, Duquesne University president said he was pleased to reach an agreement that will continue the legacy of more than 60 years of service to the community......
"The sale not only preserves the public character of the station, it also will allow us to make significant investments in key academic initiatives that are aligned with Duquesne's strategic plan."
WYEP Board chair Marco Cardamone said "Through WDUQ, Essential Public Media has an amazing opportunity to transform local journalism, offer reliable news and information, spark civic conversation and shed light on important issues."
"Essential Public Media is planning to develop and sustain a vibrant media service that brings NPR, global and national news to the region, building on today's media technologies and a deeper emphasis on local journalism," said Susan Harmon, Public Radio Capital's managing director and PMC board director.
WDUQ 90.5 is a charter member of the network and has been bringing NPR programming to the region for nearly 40 years.
"While local journalism, reflecting the diversity of voices and issues in our community, is a high priority for EPM, we look forward to working with the community of jazz lovers in Pittsburgh as well," said Lee Ferraro, general manager of WYEP.
The news release did not specify whether or not jazz would be part of the station's format.
The deal is expected to be finalized within 6 months.
Listen to the news conference
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
UPDATE: Essential Public Media has now begun to take comment on the future of 90.5 FM at its website. http://www.essentialpublicmedia.org/
This decision comes after the university did not accept an offer, believed to be larger, from the non-profit Pittsburgh Public Media (PPM). PPM had indicated that it would keep the NPR, local news and jazz format which made 90.5 the most listened to public radio station in Western Pennsylvania.
According to a university release, EPM is a joint venture of WYEP and Public Media Company (PMC), a nonprofit launched by Public Radio Capital.
"We recognize that WDUQ is a vital community resource as Pittsburgh's first public radio station, so we are pleased that we've reached an agreement that will continue its legacy of more than 60 years of service to the community," said Dr. Charles J. Dougherty, Duquesne University president said he was pleased to reach an agreement that will continue the legacy of more than 60 years of service to the community......
"The sale not only preserves the public character of the station, it also will allow us to make significant investments in key academic initiatives that are aligned with Duquesne's strategic plan."
WYEP Board chair Marco Cardamone said "Through WDUQ, Essential Public Media has an amazing opportunity to transform local journalism, offer reliable news and information, spark civic conversation and shed light on important issues."
"Essential Public Media is planning to develop and sustain a vibrant media service that brings NPR, global and national news to the region, building on today's media technologies and a deeper emphasis on local journalism," said Susan Harmon, Public Radio Capital's managing director and PMC board director.
WDUQ 90.5 is a charter member of the network and has been bringing NPR programming to the region for nearly 40 years.
"While local journalism, reflecting the diversity of voices and issues in our community, is a high priority for EPM, we look forward to working with the community of jazz lovers in Pittsburgh as well," said Lee Ferraro, general manager of WYEP.
The news release did not specify whether or not jazz would be part of the station's format.
The deal is expected to be finalized within 6 months.
Listen to the news conference
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
UPDATE: Essential Public Media has now begun to take comment on the future of 90.5 FM at its website. http://www.essentialpublicmedia.org/
Thursday, December 2, 2010
City Game: Pitt 80, Duquesne 66
The Panthers extended their winning streak to ten straight victories over the Dukes, who couldn’t rebound or convert free throws as well as 3rd-ranked Pitt.
Pitt senior center Gary McGhee dominated the paint at both ends of the court, totaling 12 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks. Senior forwards Bill Clark and Damien Saunders paced the Dukes with 20 points apiece.
Duquesne coach Ron Everhart says his team made too many mistakes.
“When you take a bad shot or you make a selfish play against a team like this, they make you pay for it, and they certainly did that,” says Everhart. “We had a lot of opportunities missed. Obviously I wish we would have rebounded better and made free throws, and I think it would have been a different game.”
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon says his team didn’t rely on one or two big-name players.
“Good performances for a lot of guys for us. We battled through some foul trouble, and our depth probably really was the key,” says Dixon. “I think we’ll be saying that a lot this year.”
Pitt junior guard Ashton Gibbs scored 22 points, and Pitt junior forward Nasir Robinson tallied 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Monday, November 29, 2010
"Fair Trade Week" at Duquesne University
A series of events from today through Thursday are highlighting ways to alter commerce so that trade can empower, rather than exploit, the poor around the world. Each day a Fair Trade Marketplace in the Student Union will showcase products from around the world.
The tables are full of gorgeous, handmade items at affordable prices—all certified by one of the fair trade organizations that verify fair wages and safe working conditions. Co-ops of artisans within developing countries supply the goods, often made by women and sometimes providing the sole means of sustaining families, or in other cases, supplementing an income so children can go to school, eat better, have more adequate clothing.
Duquesne Campus Minister Kate Lecci says it’s not that hard to shop for fair trade items any day—Giant Eagle stores carry coffee, tea and chocolate; Whole Foods stores have bananas and blueberries. Fair trade items have symbols from one of the organizations that verifies fair practices.
Tuesday evening there will be a keynote speech by Jackie DeCarlo of Catholic Relief Services and a fair trade fashion show, and Wednesday there will be a documentary and discussion about conditions of migrant workers.
The tables are full of gorgeous, handmade items at affordable prices—all certified by one of the fair trade organizations that verify fair wages and safe working conditions. Co-ops of artisans within developing countries supply the goods, often made by women and sometimes providing the sole means of sustaining families, or in other cases, supplementing an income so children can go to school, eat better, have more adequate clothing.
Duquesne Campus Minister Kate Lecci says it’s not that hard to shop for fair trade items any day—Giant Eagle stores carry coffee, tea and chocolate; Whole Foods stores have bananas and blueberries. Fair trade items have symbols from one of the organizations that verifies fair practices.
Tuesday evening there will be a keynote speech by Jackie DeCarlo of Catholic Relief Services and a fair trade fashion show, and Wednesday there will be a documentary and discussion about conditions of migrant workers.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Ridge: Sustainable Practices Should Be Seen as Investment
Former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and Pennsylvania Governor was the keynote speaker at a conference hosted by Duquesne University in Pittsburgh Wednesday on the changing rules of sustainable business practices. Ridge brought to the discussion his expertise in security, running state government and working for the Marcellus Shale industry.
Ridge told those gathered that if sustainable practices are to be adopted by a business, the company must see it as an investment with a return rather than an expense. He says it needs to be part of a business brand and everyone from top to bottom needs to buy into the idea. Ridge says that goes for entire industries as well. He has been hired as a consultant by the Marcellus Shale Coalition and he says those companies must deal with sustainability issues in a very quick, real and public way...
"One accident, somebody trying to cut corners can tarnish it for everybody. So, there's got to be a certain amount of hopefully, self-policing and leadership within the industry itself to make sure that if you're here to be long term, 20 to 30 years to create family sustaining jobs, Pennsylvania jobs, and I want to create a platform where the industry is not grudgingly accepted but warmly embraced."
Ridge says managers need to embed sustainability as a for-profit methodology, a business process that affects the bottom line, has positive social impact and enhances stakeholder trust.
Ridge told those gathered that if sustainable practices are to be adopted by a business, the company must see it as an investment with a return rather than an expense. He says it needs to be part of a business brand and everyone from top to bottom needs to buy into the idea. Ridge says that goes for entire industries as well. He has been hired as a consultant by the Marcellus Shale Coalition and he says those companies must deal with sustainability issues in a very quick, real and public way...
"One accident, somebody trying to cut corners can tarnish it for everybody. So, there's got to be a certain amount of hopefully, self-policing and leadership within the industry itself to make sure that if you're here to be long term, 20 to 30 years to create family sustaining jobs, Pennsylvania jobs, and I want to create a platform where the industry is not grudgingly accepted but warmly embraced."
Ridge says managers need to embed sustainability as a for-profit methodology, a business process that affects the bottom line, has positive social impact and enhances stakeholder trust.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Plans for Law School's 100th
The Duquesne University Law School kicked off its year long centennial celebration Thursday with 300 top-level legal professionals, judges and alumni attending a reception. Ken Gormley, who was appointed dean in March after serving 15 months at interim dean, outlined plans for the centennial year and beyond.
He is proposing a Centennial Speaker Series with nationally known keynoters and plans to commission a book on the history of the law school.
Gormley says he wants to make sure the curriculum is ready for changes in the profession..."We just brought in a professor this year to teach energy law. With the Marcellus Shale boom in the region, we want to make sure we are training students to jump into this area of practice. I think it's also important in the region to build strengths in health care law and intellectual property."
Gormley says his plan also includes strengthening racial diversity and gender equality among faculty and students....."They have always been goals of the law school. There have never been clear blueprints how to accomplish them. That's what I'm trying to do by bringing in talent like Eric Springer and Linda Hernandez, who's the director of the Gender Equality Institute, to work with us and our students so we can not just talk about these things but actually accomplish something."
On June 30, associate law professor Vanessa Browne-Barbour filed a civil rights law suit against the law school. Browne-Barbour, who is African-American, claims she was not considered for the position of interim dean in December 2008 when Donald Guter was fired as dean, because of her race and gender. She was associate dean at the time and says she was more qualified than Gormley who is white.
The attorney for the law school says they will vigorously fight the suit.
He is proposing a Centennial Speaker Series with nationally known keynoters and plans to commission a book on the history of the law school.
Gormley says he wants to make sure the curriculum is ready for changes in the profession..."We just brought in a professor this year to teach energy law. With the Marcellus Shale boom in the region, we want to make sure we are training students to jump into this area of practice. I think it's also important in the region to build strengths in health care law and intellectual property."
Gormley says his plan also includes strengthening racial diversity and gender equality among faculty and students....."They have always been goals of the law school. There have never been clear blueprints how to accomplish them. That's what I'm trying to do by bringing in talent like Eric Springer and Linda Hernandez, who's the director of the Gender Equality Institute, to work with us and our students so we can not just talk about these things but actually accomplish something."
On June 30, associate law professor Vanessa Browne-Barbour filed a civil rights law suit against the law school. Browne-Barbour, who is African-American, claims she was not considered for the position of interim dean in December 2008 when Donald Guter was fired as dean, because of her race and gender. She was associate dean at the time and says she was more qualified than Gormley who is white.
The attorney for the law school says they will vigorously fight the suit.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Nellie King Remembered as "Selfless, Terrific Guy"
Former Pirates pitcher and broadcaster Nellie King died today at age 82 after a battle with colon cancer and pneumonia. Nelson Joseph King was born in 1928 and pitched for the Pirates from 1954-57. After his playing days were over he began a broadcasting career and from 1967-75 announced Pirate games with Bob Prince.
Mr. King then joined Duquesne University as Sports Information Director, a position he held till he "retired" in 1992 and then became golf coach at the university.
Duquesne Associate Athletic Director Dave Saba said Nellie had a way of slowing down the day....."He'd stop by and be able to tell you a story that left a smile on your face. Every time he left the room, you felt a little bit better. I don't know if there's a higher compliment you can pay to someone. We'll miss him dearly."
Ray Goss, who has been the Duquesne Dukes basketball play-by-play announcer for 41 years, partnered with Nellie for 24 of those years...
"We traveled together, roomed together, ate together.....and of course, we talked..about basketball, politics, religion...he was a terrific guy. It's like part of me is missing because of his death."
Goss visited Mr. King last Thursday and said he was very weak and "I knew it was coming."
Goss says Mr. King was a great storyteller and during last week's visit, Goss says Mr. King told him that he was glad he finally got his book, "Happiness is like a Cur Dog: The Thirty-Year Journey of a Major League Baseball Pitcher and Broadcaster," published in 2009.
Nellie King is survived by his wife, Bernadette and daughters, Laura, Leslie and Amy. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Mr. King then joined Duquesne University as Sports Information Director, a position he held till he "retired" in 1992 and then became golf coach at the university.
Duquesne Associate Athletic Director Dave Saba said Nellie had a way of slowing down the day....."He'd stop by and be able to tell you a story that left a smile on your face. Every time he left the room, you felt a little bit better. I don't know if there's a higher compliment you can pay to someone. We'll miss him dearly."
Ray Goss, who has been the Duquesne Dukes basketball play-by-play announcer for 41 years, partnered with Nellie for 24 of those years...
"We traveled together, roomed together, ate together.....and of course, we talked..about basketball, politics, religion...he was a terrific guy. It's like part of me is missing because of his death."
Goss visited Mr. King last Thursday and said he was very weak and "I knew it was coming."
Goss says Mr. King was a great storyteller and during last week's visit, Goss says Mr. King told him that he was glad he finally got his book, "Happiness is like a Cur Dog: The Thirty-Year Journey of a Major League Baseball Pitcher and Broadcaster," published in 2009.
Nellie King is survived by his wife, Bernadette and daughters, Laura, Leslie and Amy. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Bus Stops at Heinz Field
Jerome Bettis will be at Heinz Field this afternoon to honor the 21 students from Pittsburgh Public’s Murray Middle School in Mt. Oliver who have completed an 8-week computer camp at Duquesne University. In an effort to narrow the digital divide, his Bus Stops Here Foundation has funded six camps in three years.
The school district selects students based on attitude, behavior, and interest, not just grades or ability, according to Duquesne’s Jennifer Milcarek, who instructs them with the help of ten Duquesne students or alums.
The 6th 7th and 8th graders learn the latest version of Microsoft Office and prepare Power Point digital stories based on interviews they conduct with persons of their choice.
At a computer engineering session, they each construct a computer from the shell out, which they will get to keep.
Jennifer Milcarek says her biggest challenge is to find something the students don’t already know because, unlike older people, they've had some exposure to computers their whole lives.
When she introduces web design at its simplest, she says the students are impatient for the next step.
The school district selects students based on attitude, behavior, and interest, not just grades or ability, according to Duquesne’s Jennifer Milcarek, who instructs them with the help of ten Duquesne students or alums.
The 6th 7th and 8th graders learn the latest version of Microsoft Office and prepare Power Point digital stories based on interviews they conduct with persons of their choice.
At a computer engineering session, they each construct a computer from the shell out, which they will get to keep.
Jennifer Milcarek says her biggest challenge is to find something the students don’t already know because, unlike older people, they've had some exposure to computers their whole lives.
When she introduces web design at its simplest, she says the students are impatient for the next step.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Four Foundations End WDUQ Hold
The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, The Richard King Mellon Foundation and an anonymous foundation have decided to end a 60-day option on the license to broadcast at 90.5 FM in Pittsburgh nearly a month early. The foundations purchased the option in May from Duquesne University and it was to expire over the 4th of July weekend. A statement from The Heinz Endowments read in part, “The group worked hard for a month to determine how the radio station would add value to the original project in relation to the cost. What we in the foundations group have determined is that we are not enough along in that analysis and in our solicitation of community input, and will not be by July 2.” In published reports and in an interview with WDUQ, representatives of the foundation effort said the group was looking to find ways to grow journalism in the region at a time when many news outlets are facing financial difficulties.
A group of community leaders and WDUQ FM management has formed the nonprofit “Pittsburgh Public Media” in an effort to build the support needed to purchase the license from Duquesne University. That group plans to preserve the News, Jazz and NPR format currently aired on 90.5 FM. Pittsburgh Public Media submitted a bid to the university earlier this year but it was rejected. A second bid was submitted but the has not yet been acted upon by Duquesne’s board. A spokeswoman for the school told the Tribune Review that the university does not plan to act on that bid until July. Pittsburgh Public Media Co-Chair Joe Kelly says his group is working to strengthen the bid and is looking forward to working with the Duquesne University going forward. The second bid submitted by PPM carried with it a one-week deadline for the university to respond. Kelly says when the university decides to reopen the bidding process in July, “We may learn whether it was considered to be a good bid or not… and we will take it from there.”
A group of community leaders and WDUQ FM management has formed the nonprofit “Pittsburgh Public Media” in an effort to build the support needed to purchase the license from Duquesne University. That group plans to preserve the News, Jazz and NPR format currently aired on 90.5 FM. Pittsburgh Public Media submitted a bid to the university earlier this year but it was rejected. A second bid was submitted but the has not yet been acted upon by Duquesne’s board. A spokeswoman for the school told the Tribune Review that the university does not plan to act on that bid until July. Pittsburgh Public Media Co-Chair Joe Kelly says his group is working to strengthen the bid and is looking forward to working with the Duquesne University going forward. The second bid submitted by PPM carried with it a one-week deadline for the university to respond. Kelly says when the university decides to reopen the bidding process in July, “We may learn whether it was considered to be a good bid or not… and we will take it from there.”
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