Patricia L. Swenson

Interviewed by: Burt Harrison
Public Radio Oral History Project
July 6, 1978

Dr. Patricia L. Swenson worked as manager of instructional radio station KBPS from 1947 to 1974. Through most of his career in public radio, she has been very active on the national scene, where she has served as a vigorous advocate of instructional radio on dozens of boards, committees, and special commissions.

In this interview, Dr. Swenson discusses the history and operation of KBPS, one of the nation's pioneer non-commercial radio stations. She also reviews the history of instructional radio, and presents a plea for increased national support of radio as a tool for teaching in the public schools.

Topics

• Carnegie Commission on the Future of Public Broadcasting
• instructional radio
• KBPS (Portland, OR)
• National Association of Educational Broadcasters (NAEB)
• National Public Radio (NPR)