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Southern Oregon University
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Ashland, OR 97520
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Mission & History

In 1981 the Wildlife Safari visited JPR with this unusual and mellow interview subject, a cheetah. She didn’t say much but did manage to purr on the air.
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In 1981 the Wildlife Safari visited JPR with this unusual and mellow interview subject, a cheetah. She didn’t say much but did manage to purr on the air.
John Baxter, JPR Program Director from 1979–1997, cues a recording around 1984.
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John Baxter, JPR Program Director from 1979–1997, cues a recording around 1984.
A rehearsal for JPR’s live national broadcast from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 1978 Opening Night performance of “Taming of the Shrew.” Director Ron Kramer (left) with program co-hosts Peggy Rubin (then OSFA Director of Publicity) and Tom Sheldon (then JPR Program Director).
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A rehearsal for JPR’s live national broadcast from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s 1978 Opening Night performance of “Taming of the Shrew.” Director Ron Kramer (left) with program co-hosts Peggy Rubin (then OSFA Director of Publicity) and Tom Sheldon (then JPR Program Director).
Tom Olbrich, jack-of-many-trades at JPR.
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Tom Olbrich, jack-of-many-trades at JPR.
Traci Batchelder (now Traci Svensgaard) was the First Concert announcer in 1983. Traci is still heard on JPR on the Retro Lounge, which she co-hosts with her husband, and long-time JPR staffer, Lars Svensgaard (aka Lars and the Nurse).
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Traci Batchelder (now Traci Svensgaard) was the First Concert announcer in 1983. Traci is still heard on JPR on the Retro Lounge, which she co-hosts with her husband, and long-time JPR staffer, Lars Svensgaard (aka Lars and the Nurse).
Former JPR Open Air host Maria Kelly (left) with development staffer Joanie McGowan (right) during a fund drive.
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Former JPR Open Air host Maria Kelly (left) with development staffer Joanie McGowan (right) during a fund drive.
Former JPR Open Air hosts Brad Ranger (left) and Keith Henty (right).
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Former JPR Open Air hosts Brad Ranger (left) and Keith Henty (right).
Former JPR News Director Liam Moriarty (left) with former Assistant Program Director Bryon Lambert (right).
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Former JPR News Director Liam Moriarty (left) with former Assistant Program Director Bryon Lambert (right).
First Concert host, Pat Daly, chats with then JPR News Director, Annie Hoy, around 1989.
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First Concert host, Pat Daly, chats with then JPR News Director, Annie Hoy, around 1989.
Former JPR News Director Lucy Edwards prior to JPR's Ashland 4th of July parade entry.
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Former JPR News Director Lucy Edwards warms up prior to JPR's Ashland 4th of July parade entry.
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Former JPR Music Director and Open Air host Eric Alan (left) with long-time Folk Show host Keri Green (right).
Colleen Pyke (left) and Maria Kelly (right) celebrate some made-up theme day during a JPR fund drive.
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Colleen Pyke (left) and Maria Kelly (right) celebrate some made-up theme day during a JPR fund drive.

MISSION

JPR feeds the human intellectual and creative spirit of Southern Oregon and Northern California communities striving to build a diverse community of informed citizens through fact-based journalism and programs that stimulate civic discourse, inspire community engagement, celebrate music and foster the art of storytelling.

HISTORY

Jefferson Public Radio's flagship station, KSOR, was established in 1969 on the campus of Southern Oregon University (SOU) in Ashland, Oregon. From a tiny 10-watt station, KSOR evolved to become a regional public radio service reaching over 1 million potential listeners in a 60,000-square-mile area of Southern Oregon and Northern California via one of the largest networks of transmitters and translators in public radio.

This network now goes by the name Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), making reference to the mythical State of Jefferson, which roughly corresponds to the listening area served by JPR. JPR is owned and operated by Southern Oregon University and extends the University's educational mission by promoting lifelong learning and fostering the intellectual growth and civic engagement of the region.

JPR broadcasts radio programming that is not available via commercial media.  This programming seeks to:

  • Enhance the quality of community dialogue about regional, state, national and international civic issues by presenting in-depth, fact-based news and public affairs programming.
  • Make available music that otherwise would not be available on the radio. JPR is the primary source of classical music, jazz, world music, folk and blues in the region it serves.
  • Provide cultural programming that celebrates the human experience. Programs like This American Life, The Moth Radio Hour, Radiolaband The Ted Radio Hour reflect the American experience in a way that is valuable to our culture.

In 1975, the KSOR Listeners' Guild was formed as an affiliate of what was then known as the Southern Oregon College Foundation.  In 1997, a new non-profit organization was formed called the JPR Foundation dedicated exclusively to raising funds to support JPR's mission and service to the community.  The JPR Foundation enjoys tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and is governed by a Board of Directors which oversees its activities.

JPR is a member of National Public Radio, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Western States Public Radio, the Northwest News Network, and is an affiliate of PRX, American Public Media, Native Voice One and the Metropolitan Opera International Radio Network.