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Alan Forrester
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For Immediate Release
MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS GET A COVID-19 UPDATE FROM PAUL GROVE, WEDU PBS PRESIDENT AND CEO
Southwest FL – Despite COVID-19 concerns, 31 MOAS members and guests enjoyed lunch at Michael’s on East and heard an update on our local public television station, WEDU PBS, delivered by WEDU President and CEO, Paul Grove. Mr. Grove served as WEDU’s VP for national programming before heading to Chattanooga in 2006 to head up their local PBS station, WTCI.
Returning to WEDU as President and CEO in 2019, Paul found a shift in emphasis at WEDU; less on developing national programs, more towards local programs. He has continued this focus, with a vision that encompasses Community, Innovation, and Education. WEDU provides services to 16 counties in West Central Florida through its six operating channels – WEDU, WEDU World, The Florida Channel, WEDQ, PBS Kids, and WEDU Create TV – and has been working hard during the pandemic to support education and distance learning, as well as public safety and civic leadership. Paul noted that WEDU just completed a five-part series about non-profits and the art world in Sarasota. A future project will cover Sarasota’s business world.
Paul noted that for 18 straight years Americans have ranked PBS and its member stations the most-trusted institution among a consideration set that includes courts of law, commercial cable and broadcast TV, newspapers, and streaming services. Americans also rank PBS highly in terms of value for tax dollars. Viewership is up, both over-the-air and on cable. During the pandemic, WEDU has provided an essential service for so many families unable to access media otherwise.
In the big picture, the goal of PBS educational services is to prepare children for success in school and in life. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought about the need for distance learning, PBS, as a national leader in digital education, was well-positioned to help with the transition into e-learning formats. WEDU created the WEDU PBS At Home Learning webpage featuring an array of resources for families and educators and helped address the needs of families who may have technology challenges by providing daily broadcasts of PBS programming along with companion lesson plans for distance learning.
MOAS is the Sarasota Chapter of Military Officers Association of America. MOAA is the nation's largest and most influential association of military officers with 400,000 members. It is an independent, nonprofit, politically nonpartisan organization. For more information visit, www.sarasotamoaa.com Are you a former military officer? Please come and join us at our monthly luncheon.
