Muncie resident Dorothy Kirklin, who died in 2002 at 93, provided a $120,000 gift to WIPB-TV. Her bequest was specified for programming.

Kirkland, a Ball State graduate, was an avid supporter of the station. She made her first pledge to the station in 1984 as part of WIPB-TV's membership program, said Alice Cheney, the station's general manager.

"WIPB-TV genuinely appreciates the philanthropic commitment of our viewers," she said. "Individuals like Dorothy Kirklin, who honored us with her gift, and the many viewers who support us annually mean so much to our programming efforts. Without their help, our schedule would be leaner, less diverse and far less enjoyable."

Kirklin's bequest will allow WIPB-TV to continue broadcasting two of its signature series, "Nightly Business Report" and "The Lawrence Welk Show," Cheney said.

WIPB-TV was created in 1971 to provide quality national, local and regional public television programming for the viewers in East Central Indiana.

After graduating college, Kirkland was a teacher in Fairmont and Muncie. She also was a charter member of the Ball State Beneficence Society.