Chris Shupe
Program Director EmeritusChris Shupe began work at WUGA as a part time weekend announcer in 2010. At the time Shupe was focused on maintaining a thriving career in Real Estate, as well as balancing his time as a local entertainer. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! In 2012, Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director, and after 2 years of serving in that role Shupe was hired as Program Director for the station. As PD, Shupe spearheaded a return to more involvement in national conferences and continuing education opportunities through industry professional organizations like the Public Radio Program Director's Association, Public Media Development and Marketing Association, Morning Edition Grad School, the NAB, and the Public Media Journalists Association. This involvement led Shupe to undertake a comprehensive market study in 2015, the first such examination of local audience trends in more than 15 years.
Other highlights of the last decade include, his involvement in a complete overhaul of the stations website and the creation of the WUGA app. As a content creator, Shupe is responsible for such notable programs as Sound of Athens, New South Showcase, Classic City Science, The Guest List, The Georgia Health Report, Nothing Funny About Money, The Other Side of The G and the revamping of the stations flagship local news program, Athens News Matters. Shupe’s individual contribution to local content has been recognized by both state and national media organizations including 8 First Place Gabby Awards & 5 Merit Awards from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, 2 First Place awards from the Georgia Associated Press Media Editors group, 1 First place award from the Public Media Journalists Association and even a Telly Award and an Emmy nomination for his voice over work on a local documentary chronicling the career of WUGA pioneer Rob Holmes.
Chris concluded his service to WUGA and our audience in Athens and northeast Georgia on April 29, 2022.
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There’s just no way not to like Dolly Parton, who celebrates her 76th birthday this week. Her benevolence is unparalleled, her kindness unmatched, her…
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This week on Athens News Matters, lone Democratic State Representative Spencer Frye discusses his own proposal of the ACC commission districts. New development plans for the Georgia Square Mall are on the table. Dr. Lakeisha Gantt, President of the ACC Board of Education, sits down with Alexia Ridley to discuss the search for the next superintendent. Historic Athens has hired Hope Iglehart as its first Director of Engagement and African American Heritage. We celebrate the iconic Dolly Parton's 76th Birthday. Our panel discusses this week in news and politics.
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This week on Athens News Matters, three ACC Commissioners join us to discuss the highly debated local commission district map that could result in them…
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For the first time in 4 decades, the Georgia Bulldogs are the College Football National Champions. For many, the story goes deeper than that - football,…
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Athens News Matters: Athens Area Humane Society Hosts Betty White Homes for All Birthday CelebrationBetty White, America’s sweetheart and lifelong animal lover and advocate, would have turned 100 this Monday. In honor of her birthday, the Athens Area…
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As the Omicron Variant of the Coronavirus surges in Clarke County, ACC Commissioners passed another emergency declaration at their meeting on Tuesday.…
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This week on Athens News Matters, public health expert Grace Bagwell Adams joins Martin Matheny to discuss the surge of the Omicron Variant in the United…
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After a rash of gun violence involving young people, as well as increased traffic fatalities, Police Chief Cleveland Spruill joins WUGA's Chris Shupe to…
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Two words you do not hear often in the same sentence is “sewer” and “socialism”. We do not spend a lot of time thinking about these two terms, especially…
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This week on Athens News Matters, ACCPD Chief Cleveland Spruill sits down with Chris Shupe to discuss the state of policing in Athens. GPB's Ellen…