Arthur Timko, director/general manager of WEMU 89.1 FM,
was named interim vice president for communications and
public affairs by EMU President Susan Martin. The appointment
became effective March 30.
"The new vice president for communications and public
affairs position has been created and a search is underway," Martin
said in an e-mail message to campus. "I would like to thank
Arthur Timko, director of WEMU, for accepting the appointment
as interim vice president for communications and public
affairs. He will serve in this capacity until the new vice
president takes office."
 |
Timko |
"I think she (President Martin) wants me to put this area
in a certain position so, that when the new person comes
in, they don't have a lot of catching up to do," said Timko,
who is working out of an office in 102 Welch in his new
position. "We'll get this year's budget balanced. We'll
get next year's budget and goals set, but with some flexibility,
based on conversations with the president."
An understanding of EMU's system and his experience handling
budgets and personnel relationships will be "key" elements
Timko said he can draw on to be effective in his new position.
Timko came to EMU in 1971 as manager of radio programs
and projects at WEMU. He was elevated to program director
in 1973 and promoted to director/general manager in 1982.
Timko led EMU to partnerships with the Montreaux/Detroit
Jazz Festival, Ypsilanti's Depot Town Association, the
Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the
Ann Arbor Summer Festival, the University Musical Society,
the Birmingham Jazz Festival, the Belleville Jazz Festival
and the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival. In 1995, Timko
traveled to Washington, D.C., as one of public broadcasting's
leaders to represent public broadcasting when Congress
threatened to eliminate government funding.
Timko has been a member of the Michigan Public Radio Network
Board of Directors since 1983 and once served as vice president
of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters. He
previously received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the
EMU Alumni Association.
Timko received both his bachelor's degree in speech and
master's degree in speech communication from EMU.
Molly Motherwell, WEMU's marketing and development director,
will serve as acting director/general manager of WEMU until
Timko returns.
"She'll do a great job," Timko said of his longtime colleague. "What's
great about WEMU's management team is that they've been
there a while. We work as a team."
