WDAV-FM, the classical public radio station based at Davidson College, announced a pair of new hires Thursday aimed at increasing corporate contributions. The station also said it is eliminating one full-time announcing job, that of longtime host Rachel Jeffreys, and ending the 16-year vocal music program “Viva Voce,” hosted by part-time announcer Luther Wade.

The staff cuts are part of an effort to “redeploy resources” to take advantage of growing internet readership and listenership, the station said in a press release Thursday. The station plans to create a new position of multimedia producer in 2009.

“WDAV’s online listenership has grown by 40 percent in the last four months, and online listeners go where they can get a full-featured multimedia experience.  This shift in staffing resources lets us produce more rich content that will attract new online listeners to the classical music being made in the Carolinas,” WDAV general manager Benjamin K. Roe said in the press release.

WDAV’s downsizing comes as other public radio outlets are also trimming staff and costs. National Public Radio announced last week that it is reducing its staff by 7 percent, cutting budgets and canceling two shows, “News and Notes” and “Day to Day,” to cope with a decline in revenue and the prospects for further shortfalls.

Ms. Jeffreys has been an announcer/producer at the station for 7 years, working as a weekend host and producing interviews with local community newsmakers. She also is known in the Davidson Community for her appearances on the stage. Her last day will be Friday, Dec. 12.

WDAV also is ending Viva Voce, hosted by part-timer Luther Wade. The program’s final installment, a New Year’s special, will air Dec. 27 at 6 p.m.

The station plans to announce a new weekend schedule in January.

Mr. Roe said, “Luther Wade and Rachel Jeffreys have represented WDAV over the air and in the community with grace and distinction. We are grateful for their many years of service to WDAV and wish them the best on their future endeavors.”

NEW HIRES

Two new staff members are being added to help the station reel in more corporate contributions.  Pete Kirchoff has been hired to the new job of associate director of development for corporate support.  Sarah Rice Demarest has been hired in another new job, corporate support representative.

“Peter and Sarah will serve as great resources to our corporate and community partners by helping them connect with our remarkable community of WDAV listeners and supporters,” said Annie Porges, WDAV’s Development and Underwriting Director.

Mr. Kirchoff has most recently served as Corporate Support Manager at WKYU-PBS & NPR in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at public radio stations in New York and Connecticut as an underwriting marketing manager and on-air jazz host. He is a graduate of Suffolk Community College in New York and has been pursuing a degree in Broadcast Communications. Kirchoff joins WDAV on Jan. 12.

Sarah Rice Demarest previously served as Multi-Media Account Representative at The Charlotte Observer and The Mooresville Tribune. She is a graduate of Western Carolina University and was a scholarship player on the inaugural women’s soccer team, which won the Southern Conference title in the team’s third year. She joins WDAV on Jan. 7.

For more information and to listen to WDAV live online 24 hours a day, visit www.wdav.org.

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