The WPSU Board of Representatives is an advisory board of community members that gather on a regular basis to advise the station on programming and other activities. In this blog post series, WPSU Board Member Spotlight, we sit down with these individuals and discuss their love of public broadcasting and its impact in the communities throughout the viewing area.
Peggy Morgan of Warren, PA, is a semi-retired educator. She was formerly an instructor at SUNY-Jamestown and full-time AP History teacher at the Warren Area High School. She now works part-time for the AP program in Warren and as a substitute teacher for the school district and faculty consultant for College Board.
In her volunteer life, she served as the chair of the Warren Woman’s Club scholarship program and the Community Foundation of Warren County’s Mary Edwards Conarro Nursing Scholarship program. She continues her interest in the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown, NY.
She is delighted to be returning to the WPSU board after years of service there, culminating with several years as chairman of the board. She remains on the America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) Leadership Committee.
In her free time, she can be found at the bridge table or sharing interests with her husband, Bill, and her 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
How long have you been a board member with WPSU? Were you involved with WPSU before you were a board member?
I served as chairman of the board in the early 2000s. I rejoined the board on November 9, 2021, and I am currently on the Government Relations Committee.
What inspired you to begin volunteering at WPSU?
I received a phone call from Julie Cleland (a previous WPSU board member) who asked that I join the board. Julie shared her program guides and information about WPSU with me. Also, one of the founders of the entire WPSU board, Leroy Schneck, a radio announcer, friend, and neighbor, encouraged me to get involved. I felt this was a great fit and continue to volunteer with the station.
What WPSU “programming” do you connect with the most?
I love the mysteries! I will even stay up really late to watch these! I enjoy the twists and turns and how well written they are.
I am grateful for the cultural productions. I live in a rural area and find them essential.
I also believe the continuing education programs from WPSU for students are essential. I value the lesson plans for home-based students (from shows like Daniel Tiger) and the lesson plans for pre-school teachers. I believe WPSU is the only resource that can give excellent, valued education programs like this to fill in the gaps of the school systems.
How do you see WPSU positively impacting the communities throughout Central Pennsylvania?
WPSU provides access to culture that you might not otherwise see! For example, WPSU shows programs that highlight opera, symphonies, concerts, and more.
As a board member, what would you like to share to the public about why they should support WPSU?
I think the only thing that garners support is public interest. I encourage all who value WPSU to take the steps to stand up for your station — write letters to the editor, call your congressman — everybody has to make their voice heard. If you value great programming, consider joining Protect My Public Media or find other ways to advocate. If you don’t, this great service will go away!
The quality of what we do can’t be found anywhere else. Surprisingly, sometimes where it’s most important is in rural areas like the areas WPSU serves. The cultural programs are needed in these rural areas.
What do you wish people knew about WPSU?
I wish people knew about the kind of things WPSU does behind the scenes — all the work that the producers, writers, management, and staff do to make local programs possible for our communities. WPSU really does have stellar staff, and it’s up to us to keep them here, in this community, to continue providing great programming.
I believe the programs we provide for educators and children are essential, like our Cozy Corners, Virtual Field Trips, Games, and more. You can’t find all of these things anywhere else.
In our rural communities, it’s our station that makes this happen! It is essential!