Dave Black, the founding basic supervisor of WSUM 91.7 Madison Scholar Radio, died on Feb. 12 on the age of 66.

Black handed away 10 days earlier than the twentieth anniversary of WSUM’s founding on Feb. 22, 2002. Beginning his work with the radio as a graduate pupil in UW’s Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1993, he performed an integral function with Professor Emeritus Jim Hoyt in remodeling the earlier pupil radio station right into a full-fledged operation.

WSUM is likely one of the largest faculty radio stations within the nation immediately, however when Black began working with college students within the ‘90s, the earlier station closed with little choices to maneuver ahead. Black spearheaded its progress of native Madison protection, main a petition to influence the coed authorities to assist finance the station and supporting the constructing of the published tower.

He labored to acquire the station’s FCC license and cement studios on campus to develop its viewers to 183,250 listeners immediately, in response to a press launch from WSUM. Along with typical sports activities and music programming, Black pushed for the station’s protection of stories and public affairs operations, insisting on skilled requirements for his college students. 

The station deliberate to honor Black’s retirement with a digital celebration on Feb. 19.

“For the final 20 years, Dave has been the central determine in constructing WSUM right into a campus and group establishment,” Doug McLeod, Evjue Centennial professor within the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication  and ​​head of the WSUM Governance Board, stated within the SJMC’s memoriam publish. “To have seen the place WSUM began and the place it’s immediately, is a testomony to Dave’s imaginative and prescient, dedication and administration ability. In WSUM, Dave has left an everlasting legacy on the UW-Madison.”

Black impacted generations of scholars over the course of his practically 30-year lengthy profession earlier than his retirement final September. Within the course of, he earned his M.A. from UW-Madison’s SJMC in 2003. He was honored with the School of Letters and Science Mid-Profession Award in 2014 and the Wisconsin Alumni Affiliation Award for Excellence in Management: Particular person or Unit Stage within the Tutorial Workers Excellence Awards in 2015.

Following information of Black’s passing, college students, alumni and group members expressed their condolences and fond recollections on social media. NBC’s Elise Romas and Stella Porter, Defiant Information’s Brady Dale and sports activities broadcaster Chris Vosters took to Twitter to share the significance Black had in shaping their careers.

In a Twitter thread, NPR’s Stephen Thompson recalled his expertise attempting to maintain the radio station that will later change into WSUM alive again in 1993. He wrote about Black’s integral function in recruiting volunteers and coordinating the constructing of the radio’s tower, describing Black as “forefront, joyful and unflappable.”

“I am struggling to wrap my head across the private loss, as a result of Dave was a very good pal and a deeply variety man. So for now, I am going to simply rejoice his legacy. Greater than 2,000 college students have handed by way of WSUM and none might have completed so with out Dave,” Thompson tweeted. 

Different lecturers and friends stuffed the feedback beneath the memoriam publish for Black with ideas on his legacy. Kelsey Brannan, who took over Black’s function of basic supervisor following his retirement, expressed her appreciation for Black’s influence on her as a pupil {and professional} in a remark. She wrote that he was “a constant and reassuring presence” in her working life, and that he made himself obtainable for hours of internet name coaching and recommendation since entering into the function in September.

“After I moved into his workplace, I discovered a handwritten observe pinned to the corkboard behind the desk that stated: ‘There shall be individuals on this life who will want you. It’s your job to be there for them’,” Brannan stated. “I think about this was considerably of a mission assertion for Dave, and we’re all testomony to the truth that he lived as much as it each day. He was there for therefore many people in so some ways, and that influence shall be felt for years to return.”