WUSB-FM, Stony Brook University’s non-commercial radio station, was honored by Suffolk County, RESPONSE Crisis Center of Suffolk, and the New York Blood Center for its communication efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The station and several staff members were recognized in a ceremony Sept. 27 in the SAC Auditorium for providing continuous and important guidance during the crisis.

WUSB-FM, the Stony Brook University Student Blood Drive Committee and the Office of Government and Community Relations were honored for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WUSB received a proclamation from Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, who cited the station’s dedication and commitment to COVID-19 and pandemic-related programming and for delivering important and timely information via interviews, public service announcements, official New York State and Suffolk County communications, and more.

“Stony Brook is an incredibly important part of the community, both economically and culturally,” said Hahn, who grew up in Stony Brook and is parent to a university alum. “When the pandemic hit, there was a lot of misinformation being spread. We relied on WUSB to share information from trusted sources and we’re grateful for all they did to help get important and accurate information out there.”

The event opened with a video highlighting the station’s history, followed by opening remarks from Kate Valerio, co-host of WUSB’s “Taking Care of Yourself” program and board member of the RESPONSE Crisis Center, a 24×7 suicide prevention hotline.

“RESPONSE has resources available 24×7, 365 days a year,” said Valerio. “People ask how we do it. The answer is we’re able to do it because of partners like Stony Brook and WUSB.”

Valerio cited the station’s communication efforts as people struggled with the difficult challenges the pandemic presented. The partnership between RESPONSE and WUSB, now in its fiftieth year, began in 1971, after an unsuccessful on-campus suicide attempt.

Read the full story: https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/wusb-honored-for-life-saving-pandemic-programming/