Oklahoma Public Radio KOSU names new leadership team

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Oklahoma State University has selected Kelly Burley to serve as director of Oklahoma Public Radio KOSU while promoting station news director Rachel Hubbard to associate director/general manager.

Burley and Hubbard will work closely to develop the strategic direction and pursue the long-term success of the Oklahoma Public Radio KOSU network, a 501(c)3 non-commercial listening service that includes 91.7 FM Stillwater-Oklahoma City; 107.5 FM Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma; 107.3 FM south Tulsa and 101.9 FM Okmulgee. 

“This is a dream opportunity to return to the station that has meant so much to me through the years,” Burley said. “I look forward to working with our listener contributors and Oklahoma State University to create a one-of-a-kind radio gathering place for information, entertainment and the arts.” 

Burley received his bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from OSU. He served as a KOSU news reporter, news director and program director from 1990 to 2003. The KOSU veteran has received numerous awards for broadcast journalism excellence, including three national Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio Television News Directors Association and the National Journalism Award from the Scripps Howard Foundation. Burley returns to KOSU from AARP Oklahoma, where he served as associate state director-communications.  

Hubbard graduated from OSU in 2003 and began her career as a student reporter. She later served as KOSU’s State Capitol correspondent and news director. She is also a nationally recognized radio journalist, having received awards from Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and Radio Television News Directors Association. 

“KOSU has been an important part of my life, first as a student and later as a professional radio journalist, and I am committed to its future success,” Hubbard said. “We will work diligently in the coming months to increase the value of KOSU to our listeners and university partner.”  

Under the leadership of Burley and Hubbard, KOSU is committed to creating a listening service rich in thought and artistic expression. The station will also be more closely aligned with OSU’s mission of academic excellence. Among other things, KOSU will provide new opportunities for student involvement in station operations.

KOSU will also create new opportunities to engage listeners and KOSU members. The station will pursue direct feedback about local and national program offerings from members and listeners while increasing the number of local voices on the air.

“It is our goal to share the unique qualities and standards of public radio with OSU students who will serve as an integral part of the KOSU team,” said Albert Colom, OSU vice president of enrollment management. “Through this and other initiatives, KOSU will emphasize the public in public radio.”