HomeMy WebLinkAboutCongratulating WNDU as it Celebrates its 60th AnniversaryAttest
RESOLUTION
4477 -15
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
July 27,
15
20 .
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
July 28 20 15
City Clerk
President of Common Council
Approved and signed by me 7V I C, a v 20 (5.
City Clerk
111:-r�i'
C� N•�h
RESOLUTION NO. �J`J SOVTH BEND
A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA
PUBLICLY CONGRATULATING WNDU AS IT CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY AND
HONORING THE COMMUNICATIONS LEGACY OF REV. THEODORE M. HESBURGH, C.S.C.
6N,C.,B4 the South Bend Common Council notes that on February 19, 1955, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh,
C.S.C., President and Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Executive Vice - President of the University of Notre Dame,
conducted the groundbreaking ceremony which kicked off the construction by Thomas L. Hickey Construction
Company, Inc. of a $750,000 building designed to house the WNDU television station studios. This one -story
brick building, being of similar architecture to the men's dormitories located on the North Quad of the Notre
Dame campus, was soon completed, and on July 15, 1955, the WNDU TV station first signed on the air; and
6)ha the Council further recognizes that the television studio was formally dedicated on September 30
and October 1, 1955, when NBC executives Robert Samoff and Frank Folsom, as well as Coca Cola executives
were guests of honor at the University. A live television broadcast took place from the ND Fieldhouse of Coke
Time with Eddie Fisher. The weekend events included the telecasting of the academic convocation where Father
Hesburgh gave an honorary Doctor of Science degree to Brigadier General David Samoof, the principal speaker
of the formal studio opening; followed by Eddie Fisher singing and music by the Notre Dame band; and
CA the Common Council notes that among the many others in attendance at the formal dedication of
the WNDU television studios that weekend in 1955, included Indiana Governor George N. Craig, South Bend
Mayor John Scott, Bernard Barth, Managing Director & Tom Hamilton Sales Manager, along with the Moreau
Seminar Choir, and the Notre Dame Glee Club. Festivities also included attending the Notre Dame - Indiana
football game where Coach Terry Brennan, Paul Hornung, and the Fighting Irish beat the Hoosiers 19 -0; and
CACm,s in November of 2005, the University agreed to sell the station to Atlanta -based Gray Television,
Inc. for $85 million, with the sale being based on "finding a buyer that is committed to the local community & to
quality news and entertainment programming" according to John Affleck- Graves, University Vice - President.
Section I. On behalf of all of the residents of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is honored
to recognize the rich history of WNDU -TV as it celebrates its 601h Anniversary, and the enduring legacy of Rev.
Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., whose vision enticed "imaginative & creative people" to dedicate themselves to
being part of "...a new reality bursting on the scene" in 1955, and continues to provide quality broadcasting today.
Section II. The Common Council sincerely congratulates and thanks all of the many dedicated persons who have
worked at WNDU over the past six (6) decades, and wishes WNDU continued success for many decades to come.
Tim
This Res31ution shall be in full force and effect from
Schey,
Dr. Fred Ferlic, 4" District
14 sc -- ",-2�
vid Varner, 5th District
fie:
John Voorde, City Clerk
Council
Derek D. Dieter, At Large
Gavin Ferlic, At Large
Karen L. Whhi/�itte, At Large
Kathleen Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney
Pete Buttigr6g`,��f South Bend