WTBU supporters unite, fundraise to rebuild damaged studio

Just days after the WTBU studio was destroyed by a devastating three-alarm fire last month, Anne Donohue, the student-run radio station’s faculty advisor, sent out a mass email asking for support from alumni, faculty, and friends.

What followed were more than 260 donations totaling more than $33,500 pouring in to help rebuild the station. During BU’s third annual Giving Day earlier this month, WTBU received more donations than any individual University school or college.

And tonight, Wednesday, April 20, a benefit, featuring live music, is being held for the station at Pop Allston.

"The response has been unbelievable,” says Donohue (’88), a COM associate professor of journalism. “We have had calls from alums offering to paint, clean, do anything they can to help rebuild. One guy made a $1,600 donation, and then apologized, saying it was too small, but he had been out of work for 10 months. It’s been very gratifying.”