Jim Sigler, general manager of public radio station KMST since 2001, will retire from the station on Aug. 31 after 25 years of service with the station.

Sigler is the producer/host of the popular “Sounds Eclectic” program, which airs at noon on KMST, 88.5 FM in Rolla and 96.3 FM in Lebanon. Dr. Wayne Bledsoe, professor emeritus of history at Missouri University of Science and Technology and a longtime host of bluegrass programs on KMST, will serve as general manager for the station, effective immediately.

KMST is a 100,000-watt National Public Radio affiliate that serves listeners in 18 counties of south-central Missouri and online at www.kmst.org. The station is located in the Curtis Laws Wilson Library on the Missouri S&T campus.

Sigler joined KMST in 1985 as a producer/host, responsible for news and public affairs programming as well as hosting musical programs. Within a matter of months of joining the station, he created “Sounds Eclectic,” an acoustic music program that now airs from noon-1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 25 years with KMST, as both a producer and general manager, and I’m looking forward to getting back to my first love of radio: serving as producer/host of ‘Sounds Eclectic’ and producing features for our listeners and perhaps for other small-market stations,” Sigler says.

Bledsoe is the host of three bluegrass programs on KMST: “Bluegrass for a Saturday Night,” “Sunday Morning Sounds” and “Grass Masters Review,” which airs at 7 p.m. CST on Thursdays. He began hosting the Saturday evening program in 1978 and added the other programs over the years. Bledsoe retired as chair and professor of history and political science at Missouri S&T in 2002.

Dr. John F. Carney III, chancellor of Missouri S&T, credits Sigler with maintaining KMST’s diverse programming during Sigler’s eight-plus years as general manager and for actively seeking input from listeners and the general public.

“As KMST wraps up another successful fundraising drive, I’m very thankful to Jim for his leadership and dedication to the station, especially during these challenging economic times,” Carney says. “Throughout his tenure Jim has emphasized the importance of connecting with listeners and station members to deliver the music they love and the information they need. Public radio KMST is an important outreach for Missouri S&T.”