New general manager to join WMUK in July

Western Michigan University’s public radio station, WMUK, is getting a new general manager. 

Stephen Anthony Williams will take the post beginning July 1. He has been general manager for WESM-FM at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore since 2011. He was interim general manager of the station for 18 months before that and had previously been the news and public affairs director and morning news host for the award-winning station.

Williams’ background also includes positions with an XM Satellite station and two AM stations in Arlington, Va. Before beginning his broadcast career, Williams taught English as a Peace Corps worker in Africa’s Republic of Cameroon. He is a 1999 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Durham, where he majored in communication and minored in music.

Williams will replace Gordon Bolar, who is retiring June 30 after five years as WMUK general manager and more than 20 years in public radio and public television management.

The station Williams currently works at is similar to WMUK in format, offering a mix of music, news, and public service programming. He says he’s excited about the fundamental strengths he found at the station in Kalamazoo.

“The thing that stands out to me most is that WMUK has a truly dedicated staff, and that the administration of Western Michigan University is fully committed and supportive of the station’s success,” he says. “Importantly, there is also a community of listeners and supporters that stand behind the station, and it’s clear to me that both the station and the University are deeply engaged in serving both Kalamazoo and greater southwest Michigan. In my experience, these are critical ingredients for success.”

Source: Western Michigan University