Gary Eichten

Inducted 2007

With more than 40 years in radio, Gary Eichten is that rare broadcaster who is held in equally high esteem by the newsmakers he covers and by his peers.

Eichten grew up in Mankato and attended St. John’s University in Collegeville.  After his first year there, he began working at KNUJ Radio in New Ulm and then joined the staff of Minnesota Public Radio’s first station, KSJR, while completing his degree at St. John’s.  Eichten and MPR grew up together, and over the years he has hosted all of the station’s major news programs, and has served as news director and station manager, and the primary host for MPR’s live special events coverage.  He helped produce two Peabody Award-winning documentaries and has received the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Award for best local news program.  As host of Midday, he keeps the focus off himself, concentrating instead on getting answers to the tough questions.  The program brings events, issues, and ideas to listeners throughout the region, covering everything from political campaigns and the war on terror to baseball and Minnesota weather.  Whatever the topic, his guests and listeners can count on his thorough preparation and his unmatched professionalism.