By Karn Chopra
For the Daily

Michigan Radio recently was named the best radio station in the nation by the Public Radio Program Directors Association.

Todd Mundt, host of Morning Edition, also was honored by the association as the nation's top air personality.

As well as the Morning Edition, Mundt hosts his own talk show, The Todd Mundt Show, which airs 1-2 p.m. on weekdays.

Michigan Radio produces three affiliate stations - WUOM in Ann Arbor (91.7 FM), WFUM in Flint (91.1) and WVGR in Grand Rapids (104.1), which run the same programs simultaneously.

WUOM is primarily a talk radio station that airs classical music from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The PRPDA competition, which judged hundreds of stations across the nation, ranked stations based on recordings from a typical day, said Joan Siefert Rose, WUOM's station program director.

All material for the competition was condensed into a 20-minute assortment of the station's locally produced material, including portions from each part of the listening day.

Rose said she is elated with the station's popularity, but feels the award is even more special because of the process by which the winner was selected.

"This is a very competitive award, voted on by our peers. It is a vote of confidence throughout the system and a moral boost for the station's staff," Rose said.

She attributed the success to those who run the station as well as the station's open attitude toward risk-taking.

"The station has a lot of creative energy. We try to give people the opportunity to try new things. We recognize talent and are eager to support them," Rose said.

Rose said she was happy to see someone as talented as Mundt be honored individually.

Mundt came to WUOM about a year ago. He previously worked at Iowa State University, but decided to come to the University after contemplating his career goals.

"I had hoped to be on National Public Radio within two years," said Mundt, who first was introduced as the morning drive announcer.

Mundt had his first chance to pilot his own talk show in February, and the show was picked up by WUOM this past April.

Mundt admits his recent national recognition was unexpected.

"I was very surprised by the award," he said, crediting his success to his ability to reach a younger audience as well as the nature of the show.

"My show is a little more personality oriented, which had some appeal to the" association, Mundt said.

Before receiving the honor, the station had been in contact with NPR about becoming syndicated nationally. Contract negotiations began about a month and a half ago.

"The plan here has always been to produce information for national distribution. We just never expected it to happen as fast," Rose said.

With the University's approval, Mundt's show will begin airing on NPR in about three weeks.

Rose said the average listener of public radio is around age 45, but the station is gaining younger listeners.

Although Rose said that the station is attracting younger listeners, most students are unaware that an award winning radio station is broadcasted from the Literature Science & the Arts Building.

LSA sophomore Alex Lee said he was unfamiliar with WUOM and that the station really does not interest him.

"I have never heard of the station. I am not very interested in talk shows on the radio," Lee said.

Although students have not been very involved with the station in the past, Rose said almost 20 students have inquired about possible station internships during the past month.

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