WNMU-FM, Public Radio 90 first hit the air waves in August 1963 as WNMR-FM, then a 250-watt station. WNMR-FM served Marquette area residents with quality programming from its location in Lee Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University for six years before moving the station in 1969 to its current location in the Learning Resources Center at NMU.

In 1971, WNMR-FM became an affiliate of National Public Radio.  By the time WNMR-FM celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1973, it was operating seven days a week for 12 hours a day. The station began recording lectures and local concerts, a popular feature among Public Radio 90′s listeners. In May 1974 broadcast hours were increased to 14 hours per day.

In December 1974 work began on a new, higher powered transmitter thanks to a grant from both the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and Northern Michigan University. Public Radio 90 increased power to 100,000 watts and airtime increased to 18 hours per day.

In 1975, the station’s call letters were changed from WNMR to WNMU in order to give visibility to Northern Michigan University as the licensee of the station. The United States Bicentennial Commission awarded WNMU-FM with a grant to produce a series of U.P. vignettes, several of which were chosen for national broadcast by National Public Radio.  One significant accomplishment for WNMU-FM during this period of growth was a special five-minute report entitled “A Sound Portrait of Dave Brubeck.”  Compiled from a live concert at NMU, the tape, which was completed by two WNMU-FM staff members, was used for many years by NPR as their standard example of how to produce a network radio program.

WNMU-FM continued to grow and increased their broadcast days to 19.5 hours and expanded their news and public affairs programming.  As the listening audience increased, so did demand for WNMU-FM’s programs and services.

In 1980, the station was hit by drastic budget cuts.  Broadcast days were reduced to 18 hours and termination notices were issued to full-time staff. Without community support and staff commitment, the station probably could not have been saved, but Public Radio listeners were not willing to give up their quality programming. A fundraising executive board, Friends to Saving Public Radio 90, was formed by 30 Upper Peninsula residents. Staff activity and the dedication of the executive board accounted for an extremely successful campaign, which raised the necessary funds to keep the station on the air and halt job terminations. The broadcast day remained at 18 hours, but thanks to the loyalty of Public Radio 90′s members, the station was able to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 1983.

Under construction…