Kantor's experiences with media at UMass led him to work for the creation of this lecture series, which he hopes will draw in prominent figures in broadcasting media to speak. The series will run all this semester at UMass, and lectures will continue into the spring semester. Eight UMass journalism majors have taken the initiative to arrange the series.
Buzzy Bissinger is expected to give the first lecture on Nov. 3 in UMass' Tobin Hall. Bissinger, who won the Pulitzer Prize for journalism and wrote the popular book "Friday Night Lights" will give a lecture and speak with students and answer questions at an informal pizza reception which will follow the lecture.
The second lecture will feature three prominent New Orleans radio hosts: Diane Newman, Monica Pierre and Ernesto Shweikert. In this lecture, titled "After Katrina: How Radio Saved the City of New Orleans," the three hosts will speak about the experience of being on the air during and after the recent hurricane disaster.
According to UMass' Daily Collegian, Kantor and his wife, Teena, felt that they should attempt to support media-related programs that could make a difference. "I wanted a program that would excite students and faculty and give UMass recognition for its journalism program," Kantor told The Collegian.
Kantor expressed satisfaction with the student initiative and the choice of lecturers and hopes that the initiative would continue and that student interest would remain high. Kantor hopes the program will help all UMass students "to have a better understanding of the realities of the media world and not just be exposed to the glossed over views that we see every day." He said that if the program remained successful, he would continue to support it regardless of students' majors or interests. "I consider this year a test program. After it's over I will evaluate it and make a decision about funding it and going forward," he said.
One of Kantor's fondest memories of his time at UMass involves University Productions and Concerts (UPC), a school program he started and ran. UPC brought many prominent musical acts, including Tom Waits, The Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers and the Talking Heads to UMass for performances. Kantor also worked at the school's Fine Arts Center, and participated in student senate. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) in Performing Arts Administration and Management, Kantor went on to have a successful career in media, and is now the Vice Chairman and CEO of Reach Media.