KRCU CHIEF QUITS JOB UNEXPECTEDLY

Jay Landers has resigned as general manager of KRCU, National Public Radio local affiliate, after less than a year on the job.

Landers resigned last Friday for what he called "personal reasons."

Greg Petrowich, operations manager, was named acting general manager Friday afternoon. Petrowich has worked as operations manager for the station for four years.

Members of the station's advisory board didn't learn about Landers' resignation until this week.

"I have no idea why he quit," board member Dan Cotner said Thursday. "He is a fine fellow. I hate to lose him."

Landers said his resignation had nothing to do with the operation of the station.

Landers used to report to Dr. Ferrell Ervin, who chairs the mass communication department.

Ervin, who also serves on the station's advisory board, said Provost Charles Kupchella changed the organizational structure for the station during the summer.

The station manager now reports to Dr. Martin Jones, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Jones couldn't be reached for comment.

Ervin said the change reflected the belief that the NPR station was more than just a function of the mass communication department.

It was believed that the move would give more visibility to the station, Ervin said.

Ervin said he didn't know why Landers resigned.

Landers said he will still receive a pay check from the university for the next two months, although he won't be back in the office.

He said he and his family want to stay in Cape Girardeau. "We have two boys in school and a toddler at home." The boys are ages 7 and 10. The girl is 2.

"I hope to take another job," said Landers. "I have some options. I don't have anything definite.

Landers has been involved with National Public Radio stations for 26 years, starting as a sophomore with the Murray (Ky.) State University station in 1969.

Southeast hired him last fall. Prior to the Southeast job, he was vice president for radio at Fifteen Telecommunications Inc. in Louisville, Ky.

KRCU advisory board members credited Landers with helping to increase public visibility and boosting fund raising for the Southeast station, which began operating as an NPR affiliate in November 1990.

Landers is the second general manager to leave the station in the past two years.

Susan Westfall resigned in August 1993. Ervin served as interim general manager until Landers was hired.

Board members said the station will carry on, regardless of the management changes.

The station will hold an open house Saturday as part of the school's homecoming celebration.

The open house will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station at 338 N. Henderson. Refreshments will be served and the public can tour the station.

KRCU will hold a weeklong fund-raising drive from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 28 to Nov. 4.

This will mark the second major fund-raiser for the station this year. Board members hope to raise $20,000 in the October campaign, the same amount raised in the April drive.

Some of the money would allow the station to join Public Radio International. The added affiliation would allow the station to broadcast "Prairie Home Companion," the popular Garrison Keillor program.

KRCU operates on a $166,000 budget.