Earlier this week I posted an article about Benny Smith suddenly being placed on leave from WUTK. Simultaneously shows, some of which had run for years, hosted by non-UT students or staff were canceled. No explanation was given for Benny’s sudden change in status and none has been offered.
Several days later, UT released a statement that included:
Benny Smith, who has been serving as general manager of WUTK, has shared with me his intent to retire at the end of the year and we are working cooperatively to that end. We appreciate his many years of service and will work with Benny over the next few months to create a smooth transition as we welcome our students back to campus.
WUTK’s volunteers have provided dedicated service for which we are grateful. While we don’t anticipate utilizing volunteers in the same way, we are working on a plan to incorporate volunteers back into WUTK.
We appreciate his many years of service and will work with Benny over the next few months to create a smooth transition as we welcome our students back to campus.
WUTK will continue to be what it always has been, a learning laboratory that prepares students for successful careers in the media industry.
Benny released the following statement:
After a great deal of consideration and discussion with my family, I made the decision to retire as general manager of WUTK. I will remain an employee through the end of the year and will work with university leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
I have served the Knoxville community for nearly 20 years at WUTK, and that service has been a blessing. It has been a dream come true to mentor a generation of eager student broadcasters and to nurture a local music scene full of kind, creative people that help make our city a vibrant and special place.
With the changes coming to WUTK, for me it was the right time personally to make this move. I want to thank the students, volunteers, and community members that showed me so much support during this process. My only request is that they continue to show the same level of support for WUTK now and in the future.
First and foremost, I am a Vol For Life. I love the University of Tennessee, and I will continue to be a joyful part of its alumni community. I am leaving knowing that I gave my all for Tennessee. I am looking forward to what comes next. Stay tuned.
Obviously, there is more to the story and we’ll never likely know the details. Obviously, there was no need to put an employee on leave if the employee simply expressed a desire to retire at the end of the year. Additionally, the volunteers who were cut off, sometimes hours or less before their shows, should have been treated differently. Had the leadership behind this move approached it and handled it differently, the same end result could have been achieved without giving the University such a black eye.
To end the week on a more positive note: I hope you have a great weekend. Check out the Ten Day Planner for over 100 options for the next three days all in or near downtown. There’s every kind of music, theatrical productions, and much more. Lots of the events are free, including Finding Waldo. The event is Urban Boy and Urban Girl approved!