By W.C. Lawson |
There is a hidden gem on campus where a small staff comes together each day to bring blessings to those who tune in. The Catholic Radio Station, KBVM (Blessed Virgin Mary, 88.3 FM) can be found just down the hill from the Career Services Center.
“My mail is overflowing with letters,” said Station Director Tony Galati, “From youth to the elderly, these letters are across the board.”
Although it consists of a short staff, they are busy everyday with local, live recorded programming that includes Christian liturgical and sacred music, live interviews with Holy Cross priests, apologetics, prayer, devotion and even Portland Pilot sports updates. The radio station was originally formed and built to broadcast the rosary prayer from Holy Rosary Church.
“We are just a collection of individuals that ended up here, but God has really blessed this channel as it all started from broadcasting a prayer,” Galati said.
Early in the 60s and 70s as programming schedules became more and more refined, it became difficult to buy time for the 15-minute prayer. However, in 1988, the station raised money and the University decided to house a full use Holy Cross, Catholic Radio Station on campus. Even though the University does not fund the station, KBVM is appreciative to have a place on campus to cast their signal.
“We like being here (at the University of Portland),” Galati said. “There is a certain calm, peace and tranquility with this place.”
Being on The Bluff also gives the station an opportunity to broadcast daily sports updates with David Endres.
“It’s nice to be here on the campus,” Endres said. “I can just walk up the street to the Chiles Center if I need to speak to a coach or a player.”
Galati said that this broadcast has really hit its stride. The station holds a huge reach around the area as their radio waves reach as far north as Chehalis, Wash. and as far south as Eugene, Ore.
“There are even certain people who tune in to the station and set their clocks according to the programming!” Galati said.
Even though Galati thinks that the station hasn’t made a large impact on the student community here at UP, he feels blessed to be here on campus and spread the Lord’s message.
“There is an art dimension to this radio station that really makes it worthwhile,” Galati said.
