Public radio station KMST finished its eight-day fall membership drive Saturday, Oct. 11, surpassing its monetary goal of $60,000 and adding more than 56 new members.

The station reached its goal during the 9 p.m. hour of popular public radio show “Bluegrass for a Saturday Night” hosted by Jerry Rosa. KMST’s new and renewing members from south-central Missouri as well as Internet listeners from Bronx, N.Y., and Charlotte, N.C., were included among this year’s investors.

“These are listeners and members who appreciate the important role they play as partners in public radio, a partnership essential to KMST’s ability to serve listeners in our region and all over the world with the best public radio possible,” says Jim Sigler, KMST general manager. “Exceeding the drive’s monetary goal indicates KMST’s base of member support continues to grow. It also celebrates the station’s commitment to diverse programming that reflects the varied tastes of KMST listeners.”

In addition to financial support, KMST gained valuable information from its members about their programming preferences, suggestions and constructive criticism. “The input is vital to the station’s ongoing effort to fine tune its broadcast schedule to serve the diverse tastes of KMST listeners,” Sigler adds.

KMST relies on strong listener financial support to cover the cost of its programming. Member support and underwriting makes up more than 30 percent of the station’s budget. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Missouri S&T are the other two largest supporters of the station.

In addition, KMST receives support from more than 50 businesses that underwrite programming and dozens of volunteers who answer phones during the drive.

KMST is a 100,000-watt non-commercial public radio station. Licensed to the Curators of the University of Missouri, KMST offers a mixed format of news from National Public Radio, nationally and locally produced talk shows, and a wide range of music, including classical, jazz, adult acoustic alternative, folk, blues, big band, Celtic, bluegrass and Caribbean. KMST is located at 88.5 FM in and around the Rolla area (96.3 FM in Lebanon) and streams its programs online at www.kmst.org.