For many who have listened to the airwaves over the previous decades, Gary Eichten’s voice is synonymous to Minnesota Public Radio. The retired MPR News editor-at-large Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, including news director, special events producer, and station manager. He routinely served as host for Minnesota Public Radio's live-special events news coverage, and has hosted all of the major news programs on Minnesota Public Radio, including Midday (which he hosted for more than 20 years!).
It all began on April Fool’s Day in 1967, when Eichten started his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at Collegeville’s KSJR, MPR’s first station. He became the station’s one-man news department and quickly found that turning up his headphones forced him to speak more intimately, which gave him that radio voice.
In the fall of 1992, Eichten moved from hosting the regional late-afternoon edition of All Things Considered to hosting Midday. In his new role, Eichten personified the art of hosting, a tradition begun by the program’s previous host, Bob Potter. It also solidified Gary’s distinct tone and insightful questions that listeners came to hear as being MPR.
As Midday host, Eichten let his guests answer those questions and sought to understand their responses. With daily early morning research, his respectful but direct on-air style, and assistance from his long-time producer Sara Meyer, Eichten found himself making memorable radio…from a poignant sign-off of the original regional “All Things Considered,” a live on-air moment with a contentious Governor Ventura, to even a pledge drive.
Among the honors Eichten received during his MPR career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for Best Local News Program and the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, Eichten was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame.
Simply put, Mr. Eichten is a Minnesota treasure, on and off the air.
March 10, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews a St. Thomas theology professor on the distinction between cults and a legitimate religion. Its part comparison, part study, and part judgment.
March 11, 1993 - Former Vice President Walter Mondale shares his thoughts on the early days of U.S. President Bill Clinton’s administration.
March 11, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Pat Forciea, North Stars vice president, about the team’s imminent move from Minnesota to Dallas, Texas.
March 12, 1993 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Dorothy McIntyre and Skip Peltier, both officials of the School Highschool League; and Louis Boone, coach and teacher at Ramsey Junior High, on the role of athletics in high school. Topics include financing, intermural sports, girls’ sports, amateur athletics, and eligibility.
March 15, 1993 - Minnesota State Senator Duane Benson comments on debate at State Capitol over Minnesota health coverage reforms.
March 17, 1993 - Dan Salomone, executive director of Minnesota Taxpayers Association, responds to efforts at State Capitol to raise state taxes. Salomone argues that Minnesota is already a high tax state, and more taxes on higher incomes will hurt local economy.
March 22, 1993 - Midday presents an MPR documentary entitled School Days, followed by a discussion on education with Linda Powell, superintendent of the Robbinsdale School District; Vernae Hasbargen, president of the Rural Education Association; and Dale Lange, associate dean of the University of Minnesota College of Education.
March 23, 1993 - As part of a week long focus on education in Minnesota, Midday hosts a roundtable discussion on expectations for public schools, featuring a parent, a teacher, a major employer, a school board member, and an education expert.
March 29, 1993 - Richard Moe, author of The Last Full Measure: The Life and Death of the First Minnesota Volunteers, talks with Midday’s Gary Eichten about his book and the Civil War participants. Moe also answers listener questions.
April 7, 1993 - Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Sandra Gardebring visits the MPR studios to talk about juvenile crime. Justice Gardebring chairs the Minnesota Supreme Court's Advisory Task Force on the juvenile justice system.