A leader in public radio circles has accepted an offer to become Program Director of Washington State University’s Northwest Public Radio, a network of 12 stations serving listeners in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and British Columbia.
Mary Hawkins, the head of an arts organization in Sandpoint, Idaho until the end of July, will begin Aug. 15. She brings a wealth of experience to Northwest Public Radio, including serving as program director for Spokane Public Radio from 1980 to 1990.
After a stint as an acting and drama instructor, she became program director at Northern Lights Public Radio in Grand Forks, N.D., from 1991 to 1996. Hawkins then worked as senior manager on-air promotion and fundraising on Public Radio International. From there, she became director of audience building for Public Interactive, which provides on-line services to public broadcasters.
Hawkins has a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Eastern Washington University and also attended the University of Idaho.
“I#ve always admired her abilities, and I#m looking forward to having her join the Northwest Public Radio team,” said Station Manager Roger Johnson, who has known Hawkins after serving together on the Public Radio Program Directors’ Board of Directors in the mid-90s.
Former program director Mike Rathke is now director of FM broadcasting/program director at WCAL-FM in Northfield, Minn.
