1992 OUTSTANDING PUBLIC BROADCASTING VOLUNTEER


Presented to Ralph B. Rogers
KERA, Dallas, TX

Civic leader and chairman emeritus of KERA, Ralph B. Rogers has long been sensitive to the educational needs of children.  He saw potential in training child-care providers to use SESAME STREET to prepare young children for school and to motivate them to learn.  He spearheaded a partnership with Children's Television Workshop, his own Dallas Foundation for Health, Education and Research and community child-care centers.  This alliance became the Sesame Street Pre-school Educational Program Initiative (PEP).

PEP began in 1990 with KERA serving as the pilot for public television stations.  KERA has trained more than 1,600 providers in using SESAME STREET programs, related activities and storybook reading to create a stimulating learning environment for more than 16,000 children in north Texas.  Fifty-four other broadcasting organizations, representing 123 public television stations, have begun to use PEP Initiative in their communities.

For over 30 years, Ralph B. Rogers has played an important role in public broadcasting.  he has served as PBS chairman and provided the organization with distinguished and effective lay leadership.  He is an outstanding example of how one individual can make a difference in millions of lives.

He has stated, "I do not know when Elizabeth (Campbell) began her long distinguished and effective career on behalf of public broadcasting, but I do know she was a tower of strength in my endeavors beginning in 1969."

NOTE:  The Outstanding Public Broadcasting Volunteer award was originally named after Elizabeth Campbell.