During the 1970’s, Old Dominion University (ODU) created and broadcasted radio “dialogues,” which consisted of taped public service interviews. The interviews covered on a wide range of topics, such as campus-related issues, the economy, every-day living, and problems over-seas. The segments were recorded on reel-to-reel audio tapes and each one was roughly half-an-hour long. Most of the interviews were done with professors from Old Dominion University, or neighboring schools and programs. Old Dominion University’s radio network began in 1973, as an extension of the Office of Information Services.  It was started by the office’s director, Jack Battenfield, and the director of the radio program, Marty Price. ODU Dialogues broadcasted across the east coast and was aired on more than fifty stations, from New York to Alabama and was also featured on WHRO-TV in 1976. The program was run primarily by faculty, though there were student workers as well. Marty Price was later replaced by Starr Merritt, a former anchorman for WVEC-TV Weekend News, as director. Most of the segments were dialogue broadcasts that focused on a specific topic. There were thirteen half-hour programs, however, dedicated to the Virginia Bicentennial Parade of American Music. In cooperation with National Federation of Music Clubs, the broadcasts played certain selections submitted by Virginia composers and performers as part of the state’s celebration. The series was funded by the Exxon Company and prepared by the Old Dominion University Department of Music. It was directed and coordinated by the department’s Dr. Harold Hawn and Professor Allan Owen, while Professor Robert Young worked as the announcer.

Note written by Sonia Yaco