On March 3, 1976, KRCU signed on the air with a power of 10 watts at 90.9 FM. The station was located in Academic Hall on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. At that time the KRCU signal carried only as far as Capaha Park. Herb Taylor was the station’s first General Manager. Student announcers filled the airwaves during the station’s limited daily broadcast schedule.

In September 1981, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized KRCU to increase its power to 100 watts. This allowed the signal of the station to be heard in a 5-mile radius. KRCU was received clearly in most parts of Cape Girardeau. Reception reports, however, verified listeners as far away as Appleton, Gordonville, and Scott City.

Susan Westfall was hired as the station’s new General Manager in 1988. That year also marked the beginning of KRCU’s transition from an alternative music station, to a regional public radio outlet and auxiliary member of National Public Radio. Between 1988 and 1994, the station underwent several changes including increasing the hours of operation. KRCU moved to a newly renovated building on North Henderson Avenue in 1991 and new studio equipment was installed with the help of a grant from the federal government.

Susan Westfall left KRCU in September of 1993, after laying the groundwork for another major improvement. An application was filed in 1992 to increase KRCU’s power from 100 to 6,000 watts. In early 1994 the station increased power as authorized by the new FCC construction permit. This signal expansion meant over 72,000 people in portions of southeast Missouri and southern Illinois were able to enjoy public radio for the first time. The expansion project was funded by a commitment from Southeast Missouri State University and a matching federal grant.

In 1996, the station achieved another milestone, when it affiliated with Public Radio International. Listeners to the station were able to enjoy such public radio traditions as Garrison Keillor’s, A Prairie Home Companion, Whad Ya Know?, and Marketplace.

In September 2006, KSEF 88.9 FM, signed on in Missouri's Parkland. The 9,500 watt station rebroadcasts the signal of KRCU 90.9 FM and provides public radio service to Farmington, Bonne Terre, Fredericktown, Potosi, Festus and South County St. Louis.

Southeast Public Radio has developed into a full service public radio station providing in-depth news and quality cultural programming to the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois regions.

SEPR broadcasts 24 hours every day. Most of the announcers are students at Southeast Missouri State University. While many come from the Department of Communication and the Department of Music, all students are eligible to work at the station. In addition to the student staff, SEPR has professional staff members including a General Manager, Operations Director, Host/Producer, Broadcast Engineer, Development Director and Administrative Assistant.

Programming

A solid commitment to news programming began in November of 1990, when National Public Radio’s All Things Considered aired for the first time over 90.9 FM. Since then Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, and NPR Hourly Newscasts have been added, making Southeast Public Radio the region’s primary source for in-depth news coverage of national and international events. Plans for the future include the addition of a news director to provide coverage of local and regional events as well. Adding local news will allow an opportunity for University students to gain experience in the area of news gathering and reporting.

When it comes to music, SEPR offers a wide selection including classical, jazz, blues and independent. Locally produced music shows like Caffe Concerto, Your Folk Connection and The Elliot Potter Show air alongside nationally distributed programs such as Performance Today and The Chicago Symphony. Throughout the broadcast day, SEPR provides culturally diverse musical programs to southeast Missouri and southern Illinois.

Many of Southeast Public Radio’s programs are hosted by volunteers from the region. Dr. Alan Journet has hosted A Musical Meander for over 25 years. Barbara Herbert began hosting Sunday Night at the Opera in 1995. Dennis Seyer hosts Broadway Melodies and Dr. Peter Hirschberg hosts Themes Familiar, a program on music from the movies.

Facilities

In April 2008, Southeast Public Radio relocated from our facilties at the corner of Broadway and Henderson in Cape Girardeau to the Serena Building on the Southeast campus. The newly remodeled space includes facilities for master control, satellite recording, production control, a live performance studio and office space. The broadcast center allows students to gain experience using state-of-the-art equipment, while providing a much needed service to the southeast Missouri and southern Illinois regions.

Future Plans

Signal expansion was studied in the early 1990's to carry our programming to other southeast Missouri areas including Poplar Bluff and Farmington. KSEF 88.9 FM went on-air in Farmington, Missouri, in fall 2006 and plans are still on the table for another repeater in the Poplar Bluff, Missouri region.

Financial Support

In the Spring of 1995, KRCU began encouraging its listeners to pledge their financial support through membership campaigns. Within seven months, KRCU’s active list of financial supporters has grown to over 450. In 2007, listener support now comprised nearly 20% of the station’s operating budget.

Southeast Missouri State University continues to provide the largest portion of the station's operating budget. Additional support comes from local individuals and businesses who underwrite programming on Southeast Public Radio. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides only 17% of SEPR’s annual budget.

As Southeast Public Radio continues to grow and provide a higher level of programming and increased signal coverage to the region, new sources of revenue must be sought to provide for the increased services.

Summary

Many changes have taken place throughout the years at KRCU. For the first time, people in southeast Missouri can receive local public radio programs as well as those of National Public Radio. The region enjoys in-depth news and culturally rich programs 24 hours per day on 90.9 FM and beginning in 2006, 88.9 FM in Farmington. At the same time, students at Southeast Missouri State University are better able to prepare themselves for careers in broadcasting, or other related fields, by the experience they get at Southeast Public Radio.

Specific Needs

The increase in services provided by KRCU and KSEF has a direct impact on the listener pledges during Membership Campaigns. Increased services also impact the station’s ability to secure underwriting contracts. . A substantial amount of underwriting announcements would be provided in return for a company that provides any of these services. If you have specific questions about supporting Southeast Public Radio, please contact Amanda Lincoln at (573) 651-5070.

Signal Expansion to Poplar Bluff

Transmission equipment for the site could run from $50,000 to $100,000 . . . and up. However, a capital campaign in  the proposed region, with a substantial leadership gift, could get the ball rolling.

Additional Staff (News)

This has been a goal of Southeast Public Radio for many years. A gift to "endow" if you will -- a news department and allow the station to hire staff to cover news in our region would greatly enhance the public service provided by Southeast Public Radio.

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