Forward into the future
WITF has a rich history in Central Pennsylvania. Since our founding in 1963 as the South Central Educational Broadcasting Council, WITF has been a trusted, valued supplier of programs and services that both satisfy and stimulate curiosity for residents in every community in over 19 counties across the region. Our vision has always been to strengthen our communities by providing information and opportunities for engagement.
In July 2023, Steinman Communications, Inc. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, gifted their legacy newspaper, LNP|LancasterOnline, to WITF, and set us on a path to innovate a new model for local news, community education and civic engagement in Central Pennsylvania. With seed funding from The Steinman Foundation, WITF also established The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement (TSI) to support the development of this new model and to advance innovations in the areas of local news consumption and delivery, media literacy and ways in which citizens participate in civic life.
Here are highlights of what our combined organization has accomplished since July:
- Pennon Education, formerly known as WITF Education, engaged nearly 6,000 educators in professional learning and processed over 11,000 hours of continuing education credits.
- Pennon Education also designed and launched a new STEM & Innovation Studio and Creator Studio at the Public Media Center, welcoming nearly 1,000 young learners through community engagement events and field trips in the studios’ inaugural year.
- WITF, LNP and TSI partnered with Franklin & Marshall College to hold two deliberative forums, a community-building experience designed to cultivate civil dialogue and consensus decision-making about pressing local issues.
- TSI is sponsoring a regional chapter of Press Forward, a national movement designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of local news and information, which will support local journalists and news outlets.
- TSI is making additional investments in WITF and LNP to support quality journalism and newsroom innovation, including new beats, expanded coverage and unparalleled reporting of local government throughout Lancaster County and the region.
In addition to these accomplishments, this year has been one of deep listening and reflection, as we have worked to integrate two trusted organizations and chart a path forward. As part of this process, we conducted extensive research … and we have learned a lot!
While we have a wonderful audience, there is much more we can do to better connect with and reflect all the communities we serve.
We must transition to digital delivery of our products as quickly as possible or we risk becoming obsolete.
Building trust and making connections with the next generation of news and information consumers will be critical to our success.
Thank you for all your support as members of our most loyal audience! We now look to the future, with a renewed vision for a connected and engaged community committed to lifelong learning, local news and information. We hope that we can count on your continued support and engagement as we take bold steps to lead the way for journalism and education in Central Pennsylvania.
Ron Hetrick
WITF President & CEO
Janice Snyder
Chair, WITF Board of Directors
WITF Board of Directors
Janice Snyder, Chair
Camp Hill
Leigh Horner, Vice Chair
Hummelstown
William Anderson
Lewisburg
Jane Conover
York
Anthony Conte**
Camp Hill
Susan Eckert, Immediate Past Chair
Lancaster
Michael Frey**
Lancaster
Jennifer Gilburg**
Lititz
David Gonzalez
York
Ron Hetrick, III
Hershey
James Hoehn
Mechanicsburg
Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims
Harrisburg
Charles Hooker
Camp Hill
Masai Lawson
Harrisburg
Dr. Shou Ling Leong
Hershey
Edward Neff
Willow Street
Susan Pera
Camp Hill
Lisa Ritter
Harrisburg
Dr. Pedro Rivera
Lancaster
Alex Snyder
York
Matthew Stem
Lancaster
Gail Sterman**
Willow Street
Anne Van Itallie*
Harrisburg
Patricia Vance
Mechanicsburg
Sandra Wege
Lancaster
*Leave of absence **Partial term
Building a brighter future
STRENGTHENING LOCAL JOURNALISM
•
ADVANCING EDUCATION
•
BUILDING COMMUNITY TRUST
In September 2024, we announced the launch of Pennon — a new home for WITF as we work alongside LNP|LancasterOnline and The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement to strengthen trust in local journalism. A pennon is a flag or banner often flown at the front of a ship, a fitting metaphor for a public media organization dedicated to forging a new path forward in community-centered journalism and education.
The name “Pennon” subtly echoes the name of our home state, Pennsylvania, too. It reminds us of our deep responsibility to serve our community — and the commonwealth — with the news, information and entertainment that matters most to them.
Education
Pennon Education engages lifelong learners with developmentally appropriate, timely and rigorous educational experiences. The core of our mission is to address opportunity gaps in our community by offering high-quality, inquiry-based academic experiences to learners who might not otherwise have them.
We engage learners in innovative literacy programs that address fundamental shifts in the media and information landscape, support educators with science and technology resources that align with PA’s adoption of STEM (STEELS) standards and amplify youth voices. Our programs are implemented in schools, after-school and out-of-school programs, higher education and the community so we can reach learners of every age.
journalism
The WITF News team has worked tirelessly to engage with our audience, reach new audiences, and produce news stories that focus on the issues most important to our community. The team hosted four News & Brews and co-hosted A Candidate’s Night to Listen, all designed with community issues and civic engagement in mind. Climate Solutions | StateImpact PA collaborated with Sankofa African American Theatre Company to present Between Hevan & Eartha: A Not-So-Tall Tale About Climate Change — a unique play written by Francesca Amendolia and Sharia Benn about the impact of climate change — at Gamut Theatre in Harrisburg, too. The team remains committed to collaborative, insightful journalism that centers and uplifts our communities.
production
WITF produces audio and video content that highlights the fascinating people and unique places of Central Pennsylvania. We often connect with and amplify national efforts from our content partners, PBS and NPR, including shows like Finding Your Roots and All Creatures Great and Small. Every year is an adventure which uncovers new surprises. We’re grateful for your on-going support to make it all possible.
Story of impact
A PENNSYLVANIA MAN SAW THE TRUE POWER OF ATOMIC ANNIE
STORY BY TIM LAMBERT WINS NATIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARD
WITF News special project editor Tim Lambert took on a story that had an extra personal touch — he documented his father’s experience in the military as a participant in Operation Grable, an atomic cannon test in 1953. It was the first and only test of a tactical nuclear device fired from a cannon.
In May 2024, the piece was honored with regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in three categories: feature reporting, digital and excellence
in sound. In August 2024, it won a national Edward R. Murrow Award in the best use of sound category.
WITF digital producer Jeremy Long, head videographer Doug Watson and senior motion/interactive designer Tom Downing all worked with Tim to develop the digital presentation of the story.
To produce the piece, Tim interviewed his father, Tom, and used sound from historical footage to bring the story to life.
WITF has been recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Association with three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. Since 2006, WITF has received 90 RTDNA regional Murrows – the most of any organization in Pennsylvania.
NOTABLE STORIES
TIA FLORA
Pennon Education received a grant to develop an original animated character, Tiara “Tia” Flora — a bilingual 9.5-year-old girl with ADHD who just moved from Puerto Rico to Harrisburg. She tackles homesickness, self-esteem, multilingualism and friendship. The animated series will launch in 2024-25, but you can meet her at community events now.
ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
SEASON FOUR PREVIEW SCREENING
We celebrated MASTERPIECE’s popular drama, All Creatures Great and Small, with a sold-out preview
screening at the WITF Public Media Center. World War II was featured heavily in the series, so WITF provided a WWII canteen-themed experience with storytelling from historians and live music from Lancaster’s Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra.
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS:
HEVAN & EARTHA
This fall, Climate Solutions | StateImpact PA collaborated with Sankofa African American Theater Company to produce Between Hevan & Eartha: A Not-So-Tall Tale About Climate Change. The play aimed to engage new audiences in climate solutions journalism and was later adapted to an audio performance for WITF 89.5 & 93.3.
MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION
Pennon Education serves as the Multilingual Education Professional Learning consultant to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, providing workshops and conferences that help schools meet the needs of multilingual learners. The U.S. Library of Congress has recognized our work, and had research published by Teachers College Press this spring.
LESSONS FROM CENTRALIA, WASHINGTON
What can Pennsylvania learn from a coal town in Washington state? StateImpact PA reporter Rachel McDevitt and WITF digital producer Jeremy Long visited Centralia, Washington, to learn how the town’s coal power plant was easing the community’s transition away from coal through Coal Transition Fund grants.
Financials
FY24 Revenue
0.4%
State Grants
$62,500
4%
Other Income (Loss)
$652,263
8%
Federal Grants
$1,342,989
15%
Ancillary Media Service
$2,598,128
74%
Community Support
$13,091,935
9%
Corporate Sponsorships
$1,110,001
31%
Memberships & Contributions
$4,017,562
61%
Program & Other Support
$7,964,372
FY24 Expenses
3%
Promotion & Outreach
$384,913
7%
Educational & Media Services
$912,311
20%
Fundraising
$2,595,127
22%
General & Administrative
$2,778,806
48%
Television & Radio Services
$6,216,393
Audience Statistics
PBS KIDS Video via WITF
1,760,000 Streams Monthly
PBS Video via WITF
100,500 Streams Monthly
WITF 89.5 & 93.3
552,684 Listeners Monthly
WITF Podcasts
27,528 Downloads Monthly
@WITFMosaic on YouTube
15,193 Views Monthly
WITF Newsletters
66,855 Deliveries Monthly
witf.org
212,727 Pageviews Monthly
118,753 Unique Users Monthly
A
Al Adams
Mrs. Marion & Dr. William Alexander
Dr. Bruce Alton
Dr. Jay & Mrs. Patricia Anderson
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Mrs. Alice & Mr. Bart Anderson
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Miss Lin Au
Thomas Austin & Donna Hale
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B
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The WITF Anonymous Family
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The Jones Household
The Pigott Household
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I
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Densey Juvonen
K
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L
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Amy Lambert
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Cory Nade
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Ms. Joanne Judge & Mr. Rick Oppenheimer
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Shel Parker
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Mr. Peter Swan & Ms. Barb Krasuski
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Mr. Michael & Mrs. Mary Taboga
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Dr. Melissa Tribuzio
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Dr. Richard & Dr. Rachelle Turosinski
Mr. Dave Tyson
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Mr. Barry & Mrs. Susan Unger
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The Honorable Patricia Vance
Mary Veitch
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Alan Wadsworth
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Daniel Yeager
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Mr. Luther & Mrs. Kim Zarfoss
David Zegers
Jane Zendarski
Thank you
We couldn’t do it without you
WITF COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
Laura Campbell, Moderator
New Bloomfield
James Bennett, Leola
Rita Boer**, Lancaster
Ron Boltz, Pine Grove
Ryan Cohick**, Camp Hill
Jean Corey**, Harrisburg
Karla DeJesus**, Harrisburg
M. Travis DiNicola, Harrisburg
Emily Ferguson, Camp Hill
Diamonic “Dom” Holmes, Hershey
Michael Huber, Campbelltown
Kevin Juliano**, Mechanicsburg
Matthew Koons, Harrisburg
Robert Landon**, Lancaster
Charles M. Lee, Middletown
Sherry Lookofsky, York
Laila Martin Garcia, Harrisburg
Sandra McCoy, Mechanicsburg
Bernardo Michael**, Camp Hill
Elspeth Moffatt, Lancaster
Megan Peterson, Elizabethtown
Emmalynne Rosser**, Harrisburg
Jose Santiago, York
Rev. Michael Scalzi**, Palmyra
Joel Sears, York
Joseph Stafford, Dallastown
Amber Strazzo, Lancaster
**partial term
WITF ENTERPRISES, INC. BOARD
Alex Snyder, Chair, York
Michael Barley, Lititz
Susan Eckert, Lancaster
Ron Hetrick, III, Hershey
David Kennedy, York
Lisa Ritter, Harrisburg
Diedre Simmons, Lancaster
Janice Snyder, Camp Hill
Sandra Wege, Lancaster
FOUNDATIONS
Aetna
The Anne M. & Philip H. Glatfelter, III Family Foundation
The Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
CVS
The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
Fred Rogers Company
John Crain Kunkel Foundation
Lancaster County Community Foundation
The Loud Hound Foundation
McCormick Family Foundation
The Miami Foundation
NewsMatch
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Pennsylvania News Media Association Foundation
PNC Foundation
Solutions Journalism Network
The Steinman Foundation
Truist Foundation
WETA
Wyncote Foundation
York County Community Foundation
TOP UNDERWRITERS
Goodwill Keystone Area
Capital Blue Cross
The Hershey Company
PNC
Truist
Select Medical
UPMC
Millworks
Cornwall Manor
PeoplesBank
Pleasant View Communities
Elizabethtown College
Smigel, Anderson & Sacks
Penn State Harrisburg
Lebanon Valley College
Willow Valley Communities
Fort Pitt Capital Group
Arthur Funk & Sons Inc.
Lancaster County Community Foundation
Allied Milk Producers
City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health
AES Hearth & Patio
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Rodgers & Associates
G.R. Sponaugle
MILESTONES
EXPLORE IN THE CLASSROOM
Pennon Education’s Explore in the Classroom program engaged nearly 1,600 K-3 learners in 237 classrooms and distributed approximately 5,000 children’s books. We received state approval to expand to grades K-12, providing STEM and information literacy and out-of-school time programs, such as youth voice digital creators programs and summer camps.
ASIA TABB JOINS THE SPARK
Asia Tabb was announced as The Spark’s new host following the retirement of Scott LaMar. She joined a team built from the ground up with David Payne, Emma Halsey and John Kinzer.
FINDING YOUR ROOTS: A GENEALOGY FAIR
Finding Your Roots has investigated celebrities’ personal history and stories since 2012. For the first time, the series also investigated the history of “viewers like you,” including local resident Megan Robertson. WITF celebrated with a screening and genealogy fair where local organizations shared genealogy resources and Megan discussed her journey.
READY, SET, EXPLORE
Ready, Set, Explore community engagement events are designed by Pennon Education to bring together families, educators and community organizations to spark curiosity and lifelong learning. In the past year, we explored urban gardening and aquaponics, digital creation, robotics, engineering and multilingual literacy.
GOSPEL
WITF previewed the much-anticipated documentary from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. at Shippensburg University. WITF screened clips from the documentary and hosted a panel discussion to dig deeper into local connections with the topics raised in the film. Panelists included Elder Jamar Johnson, Pastor Joshua Robertson and Rev. Dr. SimmieRay L. Niang-Dinkins.
NEWS & BREWS: COMMUNITY & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
WITF hosted several News & Brews this year alongside journalists from LNP|LancasterOnline. These events connect community members directly with our journalists to share the issues that are most important to them, allowing WITF to better serve our community with the news they need.
WITF CREATOR ACADEMY
WITF piloted a new initiative called WITF Creator Academy, which connects WITF professionals with college or university students for production-focused coaching. Three talented students produced videos about the election, a day in the life of a college radio station and exploring east coast tourist locations. Find samples of their work on WITF’s YouTube channel, Mosaic.
A CANDIDATE’S NIGHT TO LISTEN
WITF worked with partner newsrooms to host A Candidate’s Night to Listen at Harrisburg Area Community College. Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District candidates met with small groups of potential voters to hear about the topics important to them. Topics from those discussions later guided a conversation with candidates on stage.
SCOTT LAMAR RETIRES
This has been a year of significant transition for WITF’s daily conversation, The Spark.
A major milestone was the retirement of The Spark’s longtime host, Scott LaMar, whose decades of experience helped shape The Spark into the vibrant and engaging program it is today. From interviewing emerging local leaders to former First Lady Michelle Obama, Scott led thousands of interviews over the years as host of SmartTalk and The Spark.
In May, we celebrated Scott’s incredible career with a heartfelt sendoff featuring former colleagues, noteworthy guests and regular contributors who reflected on his lasting impact.
As we bid farewell to Scott, we also looked to the future, welcoming Asia Tabb as the show’s new host. The evolution hasn’t stopped there. The team is exploring new guests and fresh segments to bring more focus to the show.