Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
RIP, Mariam Stepanian. She Turned Valley Public Radio into a Powerhouse
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 7 years ago on
January 20, 2018

Share

Mariam Stepanian, president and general manager of Valley Public Radio, died Thursday, Jan. 18, due to complications from an illness.
Stepanian was surrounded by her family and closest friends at the time of her passing in Fresno, Valley Public Radio said in a statement released Friday afternoon.
“Mariam was an unparalleled leader who empowered Valley Public Radio staff, board and members to unequaled success,” said White Ash Broadcasting Board Chair David Parker. “Her friendship, commitment and strength will be missed, but her legacy will carry on.
“Our sincere condolences go out to her family, including her husband John M. Thoens, her stepson Jonathan Thoens, daughter-in-law Miri Thoens and her entire Valley Public Radio family.”

Started at Valley Public Radio in 1980

Stepanian began her tenure at the station in 1980, first serving as development director. She soon became general manager and helped guide Valley Public Radio into a long period of financial stability, growth and community service.
Under Stepanian’s guiding hands, Valley Public Radio blossomed into one of the San Joaquin Valley’s leading providers of news and cultural arts media. Featuring NPR, jazz and classical music, Valley Public Radio’s audience grew and eventually encompassed two stations, KVPR 89.3 FM serving Fresno and KPRX serving Bakersfield.
In an interview with The Clovis Independent last year, Stepanian said that the station’s signal covered 18,000 square miles in Central California — from Merced to the “75 miles to LA sign.”
Stepanian, a Central Valley native, attended Fresno State where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology.

Valley Public Radio Kept Pace with the Times

She insisted that Valley Public Radio keep pace with the times and the interests of its listeners. Local news reporting was added and compelling content was showcased on new digital platforms. Listeners also were able to access programming online at kvpr.org. The news team grew into an award-winning enterprise that dug beneath the headlines to tell the stories that impact Valley residents.
In 2012, Valley Public Radio earned a coveted “four-star” rating from Charity Navigator, which evaluates nonprofits for consistently executing their mission in a fiscally responsible way.
Stepanian’s most impressive achievement, perhaps, was her tireless efforts to raise funding for Valley Public Radio’s new state-of-the-art broadcast center in the Clovis Technology Park. Among the features: a public service media and conference center.
The 10,000 square-foot facility opened in May 2016 and serves as a lasting reminder of her vision for the station and the community.
Among her other notable accomplishments, Stepanian helped launch what would become the Marjarie Mason Center for domestic violence victims while she worked for the YMCA.
Memorial service details will be announced later on.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

DON'T MISS

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

DON'T MISS

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

DON'T MISS

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

DON'T MISS

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

DON'T MISS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

DON'T MISS

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

DON'T MISS

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

DON'T MISS

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

UP NEXT

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

UP NEXT

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

UP NEXT

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

UP NEXT

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

UP NEXT

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

UP NEXT

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

18 hours ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

18 hours ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

19 hours ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

19 hours ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

20 hours ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

20 hours ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

20 hours ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

20 hours ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

20 hours ago

Yamamoto Allows Only 1 Hit in 6 Scoreless Innings and Betts Homers as Dodgers Hold Off Braves 2-1

20 hours ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

When the COVID pandemic hit, factories in China shut down and global shipping traffic slowed. Within a matter of a few weeks, products began...

13 hours ago

13 hours ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

16 hours ago

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

17 hours ago

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

18 hours ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

18 hours ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

19 hours ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

19 hours ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

20 hours ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend