Retired WRHU/Hempstead, NY GM Bruce Avery Dead at 69

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 16, 2023 | 3:00pm CT

Bruce Avery

Retired WRHU/Hempstead, NY, Hofstra University General Manager Bruce Avery, a dedicated mentor and teacher who helped the station become an international leader in college radio, died Saturday after a long illness. He was 69. Avery, who retired in August 2022, spent 28 years as General Manager at WRHU. He also served as a coach and counselor for thousands of students.

"Avery spent his life inspiring other people," said WHRU's Sports Director Yaw Bonsu. "He was someone I could always turn to and talk to, who always believed in me."

Over Avery's three decades at Hofstra, WRHU consistently won accolades from a variety of organizations, including the National Association of Broadcasters, the Alliance of Women in Media, the Society of Broadcast Engineers, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Press Club of Long Island and Princeton Review.

"Hofstra University is deeply saddened by the loss of Bruce Avery, who was dedicated to his craft and to the university in myriad ways - as an expert in his field, a teacher, a colleague, and friend to so many," said Hofstra President Susan Poser. "During his long tenure at Hofstra, Bruce built WRHU into a national and international award-winning radio station. This includes winning four Marconi awards, most recently in 2022, as the best college radio station in the country. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Bruce's family."

Dean of the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication Mark Lukasiewicz said, "Bruce Avery was a consummate professional, a great role model, and above all a mentor to literally thousands of student members of WRHU Radio Hofstra University over his years of service as general manager. His rich legacy includes legions of young men and women who are better broadcasters, better journalists, and better people for having known him."

Avery was also well-known for his work as a meteorologist at News 12 Long Island, where he worked for more than 20 years. But his primary role, and the one he relished most, was at WRHU, where he forged bonds that lasted long after students graduated.

"Bruce Avery's legacy are the thousands of Hofstra radio alumni that can say Bruce helped them find their voice," said ABC News Executive Editorial Producer John Santucci. "He was a friend and advocate to any student that entered the station in his newly three-decade run."

"I can honestly say Bruce was my first call when things were great and when times were tough in life," added Santucci. "I will miss his guidance and boundless love."