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.
This large curation is indicative of the breadth of that work.
February 11, 1992 - Former Governor Elmer L. Anderson comments State of the State speeches, both their importance and limitations. Anderson recalls some of his favorites over the years.
February 21, 1992 - Ted Riverso, St. Thomas women's basketball coach, talks about the 1992 team that could set record with game-winning streak during 1991-1992 period.
March 2, 1992 - An interview with an official from The Minneapolis Institute of Arts on efforts to make MIA the most "visitor effective" museum in the country.
March 6, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten talks with Dr. Betty Jerome about teen moms. Dr. Jerome is director of the Teenage Medical Center at Minneapolis Children's Hospital.
March 10, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Paul Ogren, House representative for District 14A, about the health care bill running through the State Capitol. The bill would open up insurance options to the working poor through state dollars and caps on the health industry charges.
March 27, 1992 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Eugene McCarthy about the 1992 Democratic presidential campaigns of Jerry Brown and Bill Clinton. McCarthy also speaks about Independent candidate Ross Perot.
March 31, 1992 - Former Minnesota Governor Elmer L. Anderson shares his political thoughts on Harold LeVander, another former governor. LeVander died on March 30th, 1992.
April 3, 1992 - Roger Sween, a library cooperation specialist at State Library Services, Minnesota Department of Education, talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the variety of choices involved in declaring a ‘State Book.’
April 24, 1992 - For Arbor Day, All Things Considered has discussion with a tree expert about Minnesota trees. Topics include tree types, on-going care, benefits, costs, and differences within cities in how urban forests are managed.
April 28, 1992 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews a Renville County board member about conflict in area among residents over the possibility of an industrial pig farm. Interviewee sees that rural Minnesota is in the midst of change.