He’s the head of Forever Communications and once was known for his role leading Keymarket Communications.
Now, he’s giving a sizable sum to a Pennsylvania private university for the creation of a state-of-the-art media center for students aspiring to achieve success in the fields of radio, video, podcasts, live streaming, and other forms of broadcasting.
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and the Bloomsburg University Foundation on Wednesday announced a $5.3 million gift from Kerby Confer.
In recognition of the impact this gift will have on the university, it will name the new facility the Kerby Confer Media Center.
It’s just the latest gift from Confer, and it will provide “a modern and functional space” on the school’s campus. It includes a fully renovated radio station, TV studio, newsroom, and interactive space where students and faculty can actively share ideas and experiences.
Having more than doubled in size and scope since its inception, the Media and Journalism program is one of Bloomsburg’s largest majors and has outgrown its current space. “This gift will address that immediate need while also creating new scholarships to help with recruitment and retention of students across the region interested in pursuing careers in the media and journalism industry,” the school says.
University President Bashar W. Hanna notes, “This is an extraordinary gift from Kerby that will help us provide access to value-added experiential learning opportunities for all students. We talk about what helps BU stand out to prospective students in terms of preparing them for success after graduation, and this is an amazing example of what that looks like as we move forward. I can’t thank Kerby enough for his commitment to helping us bring that vision to life.”
Since making his first gift to Bloomsburg University in 2013 to establish the Confer Radio Talent Institute, Confer has grown his support each year, continually increasing access to professional experiences for students entering the radio and broadcasting industry. He has made gifts to create scholarships, fund a faculty fellowship, upgrade equipment, and rebrand BU’s student radio station.
This gift brings his total contributions to more than $6.1 million.
Confer began his career in radio at 15, working as an air talent in his hometown of Williamsport, Pa. Since 1969, he has owned an interest in or operated more than 200 station licenses and is still active in 70 markets including Altoona, Johnstown, State College, Meadville, Franklin and Pittsburgh, Pa. Confer was inducted into the Pennsylvania Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2003.
“I got started in the radio business when I was 15 years old, hanging around the station and doing any job they would let me do,” Confer said. “From becoming an on-air personality to selling advertisements, I had to learn it all. What hasn’t changed today is that these students will still have to learn all those things to be successful. What has changed is that we can make it easier for them to do that by giving them a head start. That’s what I want to provide.”
