Gary Reid

After an early career as a professional musician and record producer, Reid began teaching at Michigan State in 1975. Over a 44-year career he taught at both the undergrad and graduate level, in a variety of areas, including all of the audio/radio courses, video production, telecommunication technology and media management. He spent 8 years as the Director of Undergraduate Studies and 25 years as the Internship Coordinator. Further, given his technical background, he was responsible for the design and installation of the extensive audio and video production facilities and broadcast stations in the Communication Arts & Sciences building. Likewise, he put WDBM-FM on-air in 1989 and led the station for 25 years. In 2007, he was inducted into the Michigan Broadcast Hall of Fame. In 2011, he was the youngest person to receive their Lifetime Achievement Award – the highest honor bestowed by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Reid created and produced the weekly radio address/podcast for Jennifer Granholm during her two-term tenure as Michigan’s’ Governor. With his broad industry contacts, Reid was instrumental on the team responsible for creating and funding the Quello Center for Management and Law at MSU. Reid assumed the Directorship of PBS and NPR affiliate WKAR-AM/FM/TV in 2011 and led the station through some challenging transitions. In retirement he is a University Distinguished Senior Specialist Emeritus in the Department of Media and Information and Director Emeritus of WKAR. He is the Past President of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters and a founding member and Past President of the MAB Foundation. He has two endowed student scholarships in his name at both MSU and the MAB. In retirement, in addition to mentoring students and speaking at industry events, Reid spends his time remodeling houses, digitizing and archiving analog audio and video, building custom tube amplifiers and restoring a classic runabout boat from the 1970’s.