beginnings.., originally uploaded by Sir Mervs.
Well, folks, that’s all she wrote….
I am leaving WBUR for the wilds of Upstate New York to take a position as Web Director at Union College.
My last day here at the station will be August 7.
It’s time for a change before the moss grows too thick. I’ve been at the station just shy of nine years. Nine exhilarating, at times frustrating, never, ever dull years. And I honestly can say that the last year and a half have easily been the most professionally rewarding. I have WBUR, the social media revolution, and you to thank for that.
Union is an excellent school, boasting a long history (how many American schools have been around three centuries?) and helmed by the estimable Stephen Charles Ainlay, formerly vice president for academic affairs at Holy Cross. And it is an especially exciting time to be joining the school as it is embarking upon a new digital marketing campaign that includes a soup-to-nuts overhaul of its website.
Moreover, my spouse and I have for years now talked about getting away from the hustle and bustle of the “Big City.” More greenery and space, a puppy for the boy, and a five-minute commute beckon us west. That check-to-jowl 62 Bus will not be among the many things I’ll miss about the Hub.
Perhaps I’ve drunk too liberally from the Kool-Aid, but I like to think some of the station’s Web 2.0 experimentation has fostered deeper connections between the station and you, our listeners (you know, the folks who cut the checks and not incidentally, own the airwaves). One thing for certain: It’s been great fun.
Thank you all. For the advice, participation, engagement, collaboration, and donated labor. (Anyone in need of a crackerjack copy editor?)
In the coming weeks I plan to express my thanks directly to as many folks as possible in addition to saying goodbye. (But of course, when you think about it, social media means never really having to say goodbye.)
Now for the $50,000 question: What about the Tweet-Ups and PRK?
Stay tuned. I hope to know more in the coming days
Best of luck to you with this new endeavor. You will definitely be missed though. It has been a real pleasure to meet you and to work with you. I think you have made a significant contribution to the local foodie community.
I’m so glad I got a chance to meet you. Best of luck in New York.
It’s beautiful in upstate NY — but we’ll miss you in Boston, Ken! You’ve been a real asset for WBUR and — by extension — for the region. Your social media efforts have helped to “open up” the station to the public in new ways and tap into the rich, diverse community of WBUR fans around the world. Best of luck, and of course we’ll keep in touch.
Congratulations on your new adventures! You will very much be missed in the Boston social media (and of course food blog) realm. Please keep in touch and I sincerely hope you enjoy the clean country living and speedy commute!
Best of luck, Ken! I’ll echo the above comments – I believe you’ve been an asset to WBUR and you will certainly be missed!
Ken,
Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you and your family. However, we’ll be sad to lose you. You’ve done a great job at helping WBUR engage with their listeners and expand their social media presence. Thanks so much. It’s been a pleasure to know you. I expect and hope we’ll still be keeping up with you on Twitter.
Congratulations on this exciting move. It’s thanks to you that I’ve had the chance to meet fellow Boston-area bloggers in person, and for that I am grateful. Union College is very lucky to have you! Best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks for providing the venue that connected me into some really interesting conversations both online and offline.
Now you get the fun of telling everyone how to spell Schenectady! Can we convince you to organize a good-bye-to-WBUR tweet-up?
Bittersweet for Boston. I’m happy for you. It is thanks to you and PRK that I have had the chance to meet many other Boston-area food (and other) bloggers, and for that I will be ever-grateful. I think we’ll need to throw you a food party — maybe that cupcake (pie?) bake-off that we threw around last time? Best of luck and enjoy the green pastures!
Ken,
Thank you for all your work, the fun, and enthusiasm that you brought to Boston. It was great meeting you. You will be missed. Best of luck to you and your family! ; )
I’m sorry I haven’t met you in person yet, Ken. Thanks for all that you’ve done.
Thank you all for the very generous sentiments.
It was great fun getting to know you and collaborate with some of you on this fast-pasted, fascinating, social new media frontier.
I do regret not getting the chance to meet some of you in person. Perhaps one day. I suspect I one day will return to a paid media gig.
You, our listeners make it possible for us on the other side of the glass to do what I do. Never loose site of that.
And judging by the content you produce, the writing, the insights and analysis, you are a damned intelligent bunch. We should be donating to your pledge drives.
Thanks again. Stay in touch and see you in social media land!
Just read on Twitter that you’re leaving, Ken. I’m glad I got to know you a bit. Best of luck with your new position. We will miss you around here.
Congratulations on all that you’ve accomplished and in your new challenge. I look forward to hearing more about a more rural life, including the joy of upstate NY snow. It’s been a true pleasure to get to know you better, both online and off.
Wow. I’m happy for you but sad for us. You went above and beyond to make us (me) feel part of the WBUR community through great tweet ups, blog posts and most importantly face-to-face conversations. You will be missed, but “there is power in a Union” (Billy Bragg).
I’ll miss you as a neighbor, school parent (so much fun explaining Utterli to your wife that time), tweetup commuting buddy, radio fan and fellow social media explorer. Please keep me updated if a bon voyage gathering is organized.
Happy Trails to You!
Ken,
You established quite a foundation for WBUR/PRK and I’m grateful for having been part of the mix. Congrats on your exciting position at Union. You have much to look forward to, and I wish you and your family all my best.
Cheers!
Jen
Hey Ken!
Geez, I go on vacation for a week and miss your big news!
Congrats on moving forward into new territory, how exciting! Thank you so much for all of the work that you have put into PRK. We have so enjoyed reading, listening and becoming a part of such a terrific forum. It was all due to you, and I am glad to have gotten the chance to meet you.
Best of luck to you and yours,
Kristen
Thanks again you all for the kind words, generous comments and for your interest in as well as participation in the station’s social media experimentation. Keep up the blogging, Tweeting, creating and tinkering! You’ve been an inspiration.
That’s the last time I go on vacation. Look at what I miss! You are a rock star, my friend. Good luck on your new endeavor – Union College is in for a treat.
Me too Anonymous! Good luck!!
Thank you Anonymous and Karen, but a rock star?
Hardly.
You folks rock for supporting us and taking a strong interest in our modest little social media efforts.
Ack, me too, a few days away and I miss that you are leaving us. Good luck. Thank you for all you’ve done (and will do). Union College is lucky to get you.