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Promoting 'community' in all aspects of life

Mike Downey is station manager at KJLU Radio. Stephen Brooks/News Tribune

By Bob Watson bwatson@newstribune.com

Published: Monday, November 16, 2009 4:46 AM CST

Mike Downey lives, works and breathes “community.”

“I think of myself as a 'community guy' first,” Downey said last week, during an interview in his office at KJLU Radio, where's been the station manager for nearly 14 years.

“And I include my family and I include what we do here (at KJLU) as 'community,' as well.” His biggest pleasure is “seeing the success of others - when we make our $1.6 million goal for United Way, I get a lot of satisfaction, knowing that I played a part.

“Or, when I see the students gain in their confidence and getting experience at the radio station, I get so much satisfaction out of that.” At KJLU, Downey said, community involvement includes station personnel being active in community groups, and in “airing the public service announcements and letting people know what's going on.”

Last spring, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting honored KJLU for that community involvement - especially the station's support for the United Way of Central Missouri.

Downey has been a volunteer for years.

“I was the director of ABLE (Adult Basic Literacy Education) for three months,” he explained. “Then they asked me to join the United Way board ... and then to chair one of the committees.”

Downey enjoys working in a supporting role with the United Way's member agencies, especially writing and planning the campaign kickoffs.

“And I'm also on the Fund Distribution Committee,” he noted, “where you learn more about the United Way agencies than any other way.”

Downey's main job as KJLU's station manager is “making sure all the bills are paid - that the money is coming in and the money that's going out is being spent responsibly.”

But the best part of his job is working with Lincoln University students, “to see them start off where they can't even talk into the microphone because they're scared stiff - and then to see that confidence build to where they feel so much better” about broadcasting work, and building confidence “in everything else.”

To view the entire article, please go to our e-edition. http://www.newstribune.com/e-edition


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Thanks.

justaguy wrote on Nov 16, 2009 1:38 PM:

" Mike Downey is a class act! "

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