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WRTI-FM 40th Anniversary Celebration

Posted by Jerry Klein.

On July 10, 1993, WRTI -FM observed its 40th Anniversary. In addition to conducting a pledge drive, the station invited back several alumni of the station. Between 2 and 3 p.m., the station's on-air guests were retired professor John B. Roberts, the founder of WRTI; Jerry Klein (SCAT '70), the last student station manager of WRTI-FM before it went all-jazz; and Michael Muderick (SCAT '68), a former WRTI-FM staffer and technical director.

Here are excerpts from that broadcast:

To hear any clip, click on the icon at the start of the description.

Interviewed by jazz deejay Gerald Butz, John, Jerry and Mike discuss their memories of WRTI and the wait for "Camelot," i.e., the "new building," Annenberg Hall, which opened in 1968. (4 minutes 21 seconds)

In the following clips, the interviewer is WRTI-FM station manager Ted Eldredge:

Jerry Klein recalls presiding over the opening of Annenberg Hall in 1968, and John Roberts reads a mayoral proclamation congratulating WRTI-FM on its 40th anniversary. (3 minutes 29 seconds)

John Roberts dicusses the years he spent at both Temple and WFIL-TV, as well as the genesis of radio/TV education at Temple. (1 minute 59 seconds)

Jerry Klein talks about the breadth of experience he got at WRTI-FM before it went all-jazz. (1 minute 59 seconds)

Mike tells what WRTI stood for; John contrasts the purpose of the station "back then" compared to now (1 minute 14 seconds)

Jerry and Mike discuss the old days, particularly the temperamental transmitter. (55 seconds)

Mike, Jerry and John recall WRTI-AM. (1 minute 23 seconds)

Jerry plays a promo and clips from Ed Sciaky's "Broadside" program of May 13, 1967, featuring Janis Ian live in the studio. (6 minutes 55 seconds) We also have some in-studio photos from that program.

Mike and Jerry chide John for giving them B grades in his RTF courses. (43 seconds)

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