The Brilliant Legacy of Carol Babina, Co-Founder of WMNR

June 2, 1945 - October 24, 2025

"WMNR is made up of some special people and Carol Babina was one of our most special. She was responsible for much of the success of the station," says Kurt Anderson, WMNR General Manager. "She was only heard on the air during our pledge weeks, but she worked tirelessly behind the scenes and helped set the standards for the operation of the station—at the same time fundraising to make it all possible."

Carol was a trailblazing woman who excelled academically, graduating first in her class from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy in 1967 after finishing Syosset High School on Long Island at age 17. In her junior year at UCONN, she became the first woman station manager in Connecticut when she led the student-run radio station, WHUS. That's also where she met her husband, John Babina, Jr.

Following her graduation, Carol worked in her chosen career with the pharmacy at Norwalk Hospital where she initiated a safer "unit dose" system for the delivery of medications to patients. She also mentored pharmacology students and worked at local pharmacies after moving to Monroe with John, whom she married in 1968. Soon thereafter, Carol pursued her love of radio broadcasting again.

The 1970s was a decade of growth for the couple: They welcomed son John III in 1971 and two years later they established a radio station at Masuk High School in Monroe, engaging both students and engineers in the endeavor. In 1982, the high school station officially became known as WMNR Fine Arts Radio.

Carol served as WMNR's Assistant Manager and she was the mighty force behind the scenes in the station's financial success and listener expansion. Carol organized pledge drives and raised a record $17 million in funding over four decades of service to WMNR. Up until this year, her pleasing voice could be heard on the station ID.

In 2023, Carol and John celebrated WMNR's founding 50 years ago as a local high school station. On October 15, 2024, Carol and John were inducted into the Connecticut Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Carol will be remembered for her professionalism, kindness, integrity and perseverance during significant health challenges. The entire station remains deeply appreciative of her dedicated service and substantial contributions to WMNR's ongoing legacy.