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.
May 28, 2001 - A Common Place Memorial Day special. The program is the story of four World War II chaplains who went down together with their torpedoed ship in 1943. Plus a conversation with Bruce Weigl, a Vietnam veteran who writes poetry.
May 14, 2001 - MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy about politics and a new documentary about his life, titled “I'm Sorry I Was Right.” McCarthy also answers listener questions.
May 10, 2001 - Second Hour: A speech by author Ernest Gaines. He wrote A Lesson Before Dying. He spoke at the Hennepin County. Tapes are available through the Hennepin County Library Foundation.
May 9, 2001 - Live coverage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's address as part of the Distinguished Carlson Lecture Series at Northrop Auditorium. Following the speech and audience questions, MPR host Dan Olson speaks with three guests: Hamline University Religion Professor Mark Berkson, St. John's University Asian History Professor Richard Bohr, and local Tibetan leader Wangyal Ritzekura.
May 7, 2001 - First Hour: U. S. Senator Paul Wellstone answers listener questions about priorities in Congress and his new book The Conscience of a Liberal.
May 7, 2001 - An MPR special: A Simple Buddhist Monk. The special is about buddhism and the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
May 4, 2001 - Second Hour: Live broadcast from the National Press Club: Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Tapes are available through the National Press Club.
April 27, 2001 - A collection of stories from MPR's Indian Civil Rights Series "Broken Trust." Joe Day, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, enrolled member of the Leech-Lake Band of Chippewa speaks on MPR's Indian Civil Rights Series "Broken Trust."
April 23, 2001 - First Hour: Longtime Twin Cities television and newspaper reporter Dave Nimmer talks about the state of journalism today. Nimmer received this year's Graven Award for lifetime contributions to journalism at the Minnesota Journalism Center at the University of Minnesota.
March 27, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo gives a summary report on Governor Jesse Ventura’s appearance on Midday. The governor staked out positions on a host of proposals now under consideration at the state Legislature. Ventura commented on loosening restrictions on carrying a handgun, alcohol sales in grocery stores, and legal sports betting.