As part of our 40th Anniversary, WYSU sponsored a commentary contest, asking listeners to submit commentaries about the impact that the station has on their lives. Choosing a winner from all of the entries was difficult, however we’re happy to report that the winner is Frank Dundee, of Canfield, OH. Congratulations to Frank and to our runners-ups!  They include Ed Chaffee, Ralph Hansteen, and Philip Elliott. Read their commentaries here – and listen for them on-air too!

Frank Dundee ~ Winner

 
"Life, the Universe and Everything". Fittingly, those were the first words I heard coming from WYSU on a winter evening in the late seventies. I was a newly hired pharmacist, working the evening shift alone at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown. Someone from day-shift had left the radio on and I heard actors with English accents spinning a tale about the Earth being destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass (whatever that was) and searching for the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything". Of course it turned out to be an excerpt from "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". I couldn't believe my luck. It was hilarious and it was just what the doctor ordered to help me make it through a lonely shift. Later that same week I was introduced to a melodious voice talking about his hometown, Lake Woebegone, Minnesota, on a variety show called A Prarie Home Companion. It was Garrison Keeler of course. That week turned out to be a watershed event in my life as things would never be the same. It was like meeting a person who would turn out to be your best friend, but this was not a person but a radio station. At that time I was in my early twenties, fresh from college and feeling the "big chill" of adult life, with all of the attendant responsibilities. I missed college and I knew there would be no return to those days. But, in finding WYSU, I had a connection to my college days. WYSU became a security blanket of sorts, a connection to the best time in my life. Not only did I discover the eclectic chatter of college life in NPR programs such as All Things Considered, Morning Edition and other programs that were humorous and outside the mainstream, but I was connected to the day to day activities at Youngstown State University. Lectures, art exhibits, music recitals, forums, all of the things that made college interesting now made the day to day grind more interesting. I could maintain vicarious ties to my college days and at the same time be entertained, informed and become part of a community of listeners who seemed like dorm-mates. The hosts' have changed over the years and so have the programs, but WYSU remains as fresh today for me as it did that night over 30 years ago. WYSU has been a constant in my life that's been there through all the ups and downs of adult life. I truly believe it has kept me young. It has helped me maintain the joy that I had during my college years. That joy helps me to be a better husband, a better father and better member of society. Its really strange that the first words I ever heard on a broadcast from WYSU would be the words that I would use to describe what WYSU means to me, "Life, the Universe and Everything."

Ed Chaffee ~ Runner-Up

I like to think of WYSU and Youngstown State University together, both working together for all of the people in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. To me, Youngstown State has become an oasis of energy, learning and development sandwiched between a slowly reviving downtown area and the steadily decaying north side of Youngstown. I think the recent development of the downtown area can be tied directly to the positive energy that is created by the campus of Youngstown State . WYSU is my oasis on the radio. It is a welcome respite from muzak, hate radio, and the Clear Channel dominated FM band. On WYSU I can find truly classical music, intelligent discussion, objective news, and even a tip or two on how to keep my car running . Much like Youngstown State, I think WYSU does a fantastic job of trying to educate it’s listeners, to make them think a little differently about what they are doing and how they do it. Unlike other forms of radio that seem to be constantly yelling at the listener to get its message across, WYSU is like listening to a friend. You might not always like what your friend is saying, but you respect what they have to say. Congratulations on your 40th anniversary, and I hope you have many, many more. Keep up the good work !!!!

Philip Elliott ~ Runner-up

This is a bit of a round about way as to how I discovered WYSU as a Canadian citizen, but since I have discovered WYSU, I have also made a group of friends even though we have not met I feel I have come to know the staff at WYSU. A couple of years ago, we lost our major classical radio network which was our sole source of classical listening. This was a sad for us in this country as we were very proud of the quality of the programming. We were totally lost. Thankfully, for me, I had stumbled into WYSU and at the time I had, I believe the HD2 channel was just coming on line. The HD2 channel was the answer to a prayer, mind you, I do enjoy listening to ‘Fresh Air’ and ‘All things considered’ when visiting Niles, I usually listen to the HD2 channel at home and at work here in Toronto. Both Barbara and Gary are TRULY fantastic people. Having listened to other NPR stations in the circuit, I actually find I prefer WYSU over another Ohio NPR station. Barbara, CERTAINLY knows how to have the right flare in the morning and Gary has his own distinct style in the afternoon AS WELL AS being a busy station manager. In the time I have been listening to both WYSU and WYSUHD2, I really feel both Barbara and Gary have become friends. They have ALWAYS corresponded in e-mails which makes the station THAT much more personable. We HOPE to meet in person. It is truly amazing that technology can be so humbling that one can find a station one can call home in another country. THIS IS WHAT WYSU means to me.

Ralph W. Hansteen ~ Runner-up

W is for Wonder

Y is for Yearning

S is for Salvation

U is for Understanding

I Wonder what will come to me every day be it Morning Edition, Fresh Air, Classical Music, Marketplace, AR, Speaking of Faith, Home Companion, etc. Wonderful! I Yearn to learn more about the local area and the world by the stimulation WYSU provides! Salvation comes to me in this earthly plane from WYSU's heavenly power that comes through the air! Where would I be without you? Understanding is what has come to me when I realize that this service is not free and that I must play my part to make it continue for the rest of my life and beyond! Thanks to all who participated in our commentary contest, and thanks for listening! We’re looking forward to being a part of the community for years to come!