MPR News editor-at-large and retired host Gary Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at Minnesota Public Radio, including news director, special events producer and station manager. He has 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.
A graduate of St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Eichten began his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at KSJR (Minnesota Public Radio's first station). Among the honors Eichten has received during his career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting award for best local news program. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame. Eichten has also been awarded the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession.
July 20, 2001 - A favorite speech for the summer by author Rebecca Wells. Wells is the author of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood and Little Altars Everywhere. She visited the Twin Series during the 2000-2001 season of the Hennepin County Library Foundation's Pen Pals Lecture Series.
July 18, 2001 - Joe Dowling, Guthrie Theater Artistic Director, in the studio with Gary Eichten to talk about the future of the theater and answer questions from MPR listeners.
July 6, 2001 - Garrison Keillor delivered a eulogy for guitar player Chet Atkins, who died earlier this week.
July 4, 2001 - A Voices of Minnesota with two World War II military veterans. Bloomington resident Avis Schorer was an Army nurse pinned down on the beach at Anzio, Italy during one of World War II's most brutal battles. Roseville resident Ken Porwoll was an Army infantryman who survived the Bataan Death March and three and half years as a prisoner of the Japanese.
June 12, 2001 - Misti Snow writes Mindworks, the Star Tribune's monthly forum for young writers. She shares what she's been hearing from kids for the past 18 years on Midday.
June 8, 2001 - Walter Mondale's tribute to his mentor Hubert Humphrey from the ongoing 50 Years: Mondale Lectures on Public Service, held at the University of Minnesota. Program also includes speeches from Harry Davis, civil rights leader and former Minneapolis School Board member; and Norman Sherman, Hubert Humphrey’s former press secretary.
June 7, 2001 - Postcard from a Lynching, an MPR special report about an ugly chapter in Duluth's history. Then Michael Fedo, author of The Lynchings in Duluth, and Augsburg College History Professor Bill Green discuss the documentary and respond to listener comments and questions.
June 7, 2001 - MPR presents a report entitled Postcard From A Lynching, which looks at the history of a 1920 murder of three Black men in Duluth by a local mob. It’s a history that many in Duluth tried to forget… but others fought to bring the horrific lynching to light in the community and bring dignity to the slain men. [Content Warning: some content, language, and statements used in this story may be triggering to listeners]
June 7, 2001 - A look at lower cancer rates in Minnesota with Stephen Hecht, Wallin professor of cancer prevention at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center.
May 29, 2001 - The final Pen Pals lecture series featuring Wisconsin author Jane Hamilton. Two of her books The Book of Ruth and A Map of the World were Oprah books.