Story originally posted September 15, 2014, 5:12 p.m.

The UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication is welcoming WCHL’s owner and CEO Jim Heavner as a “Halls of Fame” inductee.

The N.C. Halls of Fame for Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations ceremony honors “individuals who have made outstanding, career-long contributions to their fields,” according to a press release from UNC.

Inductees must be native North Carolinians, or be identified in some way with the state.

Heavner – who’ll be inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame – started working at WCHL in 1961, and was the force behind moving the music station to the news/talk format.

The station began life in 1953 under the ownership of Sandy McClamroch, who served as Chapel Hill’s mayor throughout the 1960s. By 1978, Heavner was the majority owner.

WCHL operates as a division of VilCom, of which Heaver is owner and CEO.

Heavner is one of eight Halls of Fame inductees to be honored at the Oct. 10 event at the Sheraton Chapel Hill.

Others include UNC Professor Emeritus Harry Amana, the first black journalism professor at the university; and Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball.”

In 1968, Matthews dropped out of the UNC doctoral program in economics after one year to join the Peace Corps.

Tickets for the event are $75, and they’re available through Sept. 26. You can purchase them by calling 919-843-2026.

Related Stories
‹
70 Years of WCHL: Revisit the Radio Station's Many Homes
WCHL has broadcast its AM radio signal to the Chapel Hill community for 70 years. Over that time, the radio station has had many homes.
New Bidders Vie For WCHL
Editor’s Note: This story corrects an earlier version on this story that was in error in reporting that Bob Woodruff and Jim Heavner were part of VIM Acquisitions, LLC.   It was formed solely by Mr. Holmes. Multiple offers were put in to buy WCHL and Chapelboro out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, on Thursday. A court-appointed trustee […]
97.9 The Hill WCHL to Remain the Flagship Station for Tar Heel Sports
The Hill WCHL has signed a new four-year contract with Learfield which will keep it as the flagship station for Tar Heel sports.
On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford - Presidential Corruption
This Week: Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate.
On the Porch: Nicole Villano and Kirsha Dudenhausen on Your Local Co-op Grocery Store
This Week: Kirsha Dudenhausen is the General Manager of Chatham Marketplace, a food co-op in Pittsboro, NC where she's worked since 2021. Working at The Chatham Marketplace means Kirsha can make a difference in her community by helping to provide access to fresh, local goods while supporting regional farmers and other producers. Kirsha celebrates working in a place where she shares common values with employees and customers. Kirsha and her family have lived in Pittsboro since 2018. Nicole Villano is a Strategy and Development Manager for the National Cooperative of Grocers, a business service cooperative for retail food co-ops in the US. Prior to that she was the General Manager at Deep Roots Market in Greensboro, NC, where she still lives and works remotely. She earned an Anthropology degree from Appalachian State and is working on a Master’s in Sustainability at UNCG. Nicole also serves as Board President for Carolina Common Enterprise, a non-profit cooperative development agency. Nicole believes that food systems are unsustainable without cooperation and that local food economies are critical to our future.
Top Stories of 2023: WCHL Moves, Wins Awards
The Hill and Chapelboro.com! Not only did your hometown radio station and daily local news source move to a brand-new location, but it also once again earned the honor of being Station of The Year and celebrated a milestone anniversary!
Chansky's Notebook: One to Remember
Art Chansky’s Sports Notebook is presented by The Casual Pint. YOUR place for delicious pub food paired with local beer. Choose among 35 rotating taps and 200+ beers in the cooler. For national radio day, here is my best of many WCHL moments. Despite doing work here for a part of five decades, I have […]
Howdy Hillsborough: Episode 29 - Local Radio!
This week on "Howdy Hillsborough," Alexis and Eryk are joined by the fantastic Bob Burtman, president of WHUP in Hillsborough and host of the community radio station's flagship show, 3-D News, airing weekdays at 8 a.m.
On Air Today: Celebrating 70 Years of WCHL!
On WCHL's 70th anniversary, we spoke with some of the station's most famous names, from owners to mayors to broadcasting legends.
Hometown Hero: Ron Stutts from 97.9 The Hill
This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is none other than 97.9 The Hill’s Ron Stutts. Stutts is heading into retirement after a legendary 43-year career of being the morning voice of 97.9 The Hill and waking up Chapel Hill. Stutts has been a familiar face in the local community, on stage at both […]
›