Radio talk show host and station owner Howard Monroe has been named director of broadcasting at West Liberty University. This will be in addition to his radio responsibilities.

As broadcasting director, Monroe will oversee the direction of WLU-TV, focusing on programming, promotions and the business aspects of the station. Theresa Gretchen will continue in her role as executive director of WLU-TV 14.

Monroe also will work to facilitate cooperation between WLU-TV 14, radio station WGLZ and academic departments that incorporate broadcasting into curriculum. He will report to the office of Institutional Advancement.

Monroe is a veteran of over 40 years in the broadcasting business, starting in high school as host of a teen talk show through, most recently, 13 years of radio station ownership.

He had been a DJ, reporter, newscaster, radio/TV news manager, program director and station manager before buying AM1370 WVLY in the year 2000. As a talk host, he currently hosts Howard Monroe and the Morning Show on both AM1370 WVLY and AM1600 WKKX. His show is the longest running daily show in Ohio Valley radio and he will continue to host this show in addition to his new duties.

Monroe also has the distinction of three times being named by “Talkers” magazine as “One of the Most Important Talk Hosts in America

Monroe has already been seen regularly on WLU-TV 14 as a guest news analyst on the popular TV show, “At Issue.” He continues as part of that show today. He also has been an analyst on WLU-TV’s election coverage and has hosted other special programs for WLU-TV 14.

A graduate of the former Triadelphia High School and West Virginia University, he and his wife Nancy have three adult sons and live in Wheeling. He is a ruling elder at Vance Presbyterian Church and also serves as chairman of the Wheeling Planning Commission.