Carolyn and Jack Long Support Longtime Friends
KUT's John L. Hanson Jr. inspecting the KUT Public Media Studios.When Carolyn Long and her husband Jack moved to Austin from Nashville 20 years ago, they didn’t expect to find a public radio station they loved as much as their hometown station. But after finding 90.5 on the dial, KUT soon became one of their favorite things about their new hometown.
“KUT is the soundtrack of our life, whether we’re driving to work, making dinner or relaxing on the weekend,” says Carolyn who, with her husband, is a member of the KUT Leadership Circle. “I’ve learned a lot from KUT’s programming over the years. For example, Michael Crockett does a great job of bringing diverse communities together through ‘Horizontes,’ which takes you on a little vacation every Friday. Over the years, many KUT music hosts, such as Michael and John Aielli, have become some of the best friends we’ve never met.”
After learning about plans for the KUT Public Media Studios the Longs wanted to contribute to the capital campaign – beyond having their names on the donor wall – in a way that would honor KUT staff members. Thus the idea was born for a staff green room where employees could relax and refuel in a comfortable, sunlit space. “It just seems like the right thing to do for your friends,” explains Carolyn.
When the KUT Public Media Studios open, KUT staff will be able to recharge their batteries in the John L. Hanson Jr. Staff Green Room, named in honor of the longtime KUT employee and host of KUT’s “In Black America.”
“It’s a nice way to recognize and affirm KUT and its staff’s contribution toward bringing Austin together,” she concludes. And we couldn’t agree more. Thank you Carolyn and Jack Long!
