Sharon Dudgeon, longtime GM of WAUS-FM in Berrien Springs, Mich., died Wednesday from injuries resulting from an accident.
An obituary for Dudgeon said that she fell outside her home Nov. 17. She did not regain consciousness after the fall, according to the station’s licensee, Andrews University. She was 66.
Dudgeon led WAUS, a classical station, for more than 28 years. Before joining WAUS, she was PD at Radio Kansas and an associate producer at WFPK-FM in Louisville, Ky. She first worked at WAUS as music director in 1985.
“Sharon has had a remarkable and lasting impact on our campus community, as well as throughout the southwest Michigan community where Andrews University is located,” Andrews University said in a tribute posted on its website Saturday. “Her contributions to Andrews over the years have reflected great enthusiasm, skill and a commitment to excellence.”
“Sharon is always smiling and so cheerful when I meet her and talk with her,” Chip Meekma, an Andrews University VP, wrote in a post earlier this year celebrating Dudgeon’s 30 years working with the school. “Her personality is very pleasant and that can be seen in how her staff reacts to her leadership, as evidenced by the low turnover of employees at WAUS. All of them are very dedicated to making sure that WAUS operates as best as can be and Sharon is at the forefront.”
A statement on the station’s website said that Dudgeon “had a wonderful heart for others and a personality that couldn’t be matched. She will be deeply missed.”