The buyer is Essential Public Media, a joint venture between local public radio WYEP (91.3) and a non-profit backed by Public Radio Capital named Public Media Company. Duquesne University President Dr. Charles Dougherty says "the sale not only preserves the public character of the station, it will also allow us to make significant investments in key academic initiatives that are aligned with Duquesne's strategic plan." Those include new endowed chairs in African Studies and Mission Studies, plus a new endowment to help graduate students. The Catholic university signed on WDUQ in December 1949, and a year ago announced it was putting the Class B FM facility up for sale. In Fall 2007, WDUQ accepted a $5,000 underwriting offer from Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, with the announcements focused on women's health issues such as cancer and STDs (not mentioning abortion services). President Dougherty ordered WDUQ to cancel the buy and return the money, causing an uproar over the question of the station's independence. Lead buyer WYEP (91.3) went on the air in 1974 and does a non-commercial adult alternative format. It's owned by the Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Corporation, which now partners with Public Media Company to form Essential Public Media. Marc Hand of Public Radio Capital notes that an important part of the new business plan is to "include student employment and internships" at Duquesne. Roger Rafson of CMS Station Brokerage represented Duquesne in the $6 million sale to EPM, Essential Public Media. The Pittsburgh Board of Radio-Info.com is talking about the deal and what it means, here.