The University Record, December 5, 1995
Michigan Public Radio’s Reynolds to head U radio stations
By Joanne Nesbit
News and Information Services
The appointment of Donovan Reynolds, executive director of Michigan Public Radio, as director of broadcasting at the University, was announced Nov. 21 by Walter Harrison, vice president for university relations.
Reynolds, who will join the U-M on Jan. 2, will direct Michigan Radio, the University’s public radio stations, and coordinate the University’s radio and television broadcasting services. He also will serve as a consultant to U-M-Flint Chancellor Charlie Nelms on the operation of WFUM-TV 28.
Reynolds comes to the U-M from Michigan Public Radio in Lansing, where he has been executive director since 1984, and Michigan Public Television where, as an executive producer, he created a monthly public affairs documentary series titled “Michigan at Risk” for the state’s seven public television stations. The program has covered topics ranging from political corruption to long-term accumulation of toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes. Michigan Public Radio is a statewide radio news network for 15 public radio stations.
“I’m delighted we have been able to attract Donovan to the University,” Harrison said. “His experience with Michigan Public Radio and with issues affecting the state of Michigan make him perfectly suited for this position. I’m confident he will bring a wealth of new ideas and new energies to our broadcasting operations.”
“While building and managing two statewide public radio networks in Michigan and California, Donovan has raised millions of dollars in support of radio and television projects from corporate, foundation and government sources,” said Lewis A. Morrissey, director of special projects, to whom Reynolds will report. “His fund-raising expertise will serve our broadcasting operations well, especially at a time when federal funding for public radio and television is declining.”
A graduate of Michigan State University and a former Michigan Journalism Fellow, Reynolds’ background includes three years as executive director of California Public Radio and three years as bureau chief in the Sacramento News Bureau of California Public Radio.
Reynolds has received numerous awards in broadcasting, including honors from the Detroit Press Club, the Governor’s Arts Award and the 1994 Clarion Award from Women in Communications Inc., for the best public affairs program for “Michigan at Risk: Talking Heads.” He also earned 10 Michigan Emmy nominations between 1989 and 1995 for “Michigan at Risk.”
Reynolds is a board member of Concerned Citizens for the Arts in Michigan and of Michigan Public Broadcasting.
Michigan Radio can be heard in Ann Arbor on WUOM, 91.7 FM; in Grand Rapids on WVGR, 104.1 FM; and in Flint on WFUM, 91.1 FM.
