WMU News

Veteran WMUK news director dies at age 51

Jan. 1, 1998

WMUK FM's Anthony E. (Tony) Griffin died Dec. 30 in Kalamazoo. He was 51 and succumbed to cancer, which had been diagnosed a few months before his death.

In reporting Griffin's death, media colleagues at the Kalamazoo Gazette referred to Griffin as "the local dean of political reporting who defined public radio news in southwestern Michigan for nearly 25 years."

Griffin came to WMU in 1973 as the public radio station's first full-time news person. He would have celebrated his 25th service anniversary as WMUK's news and public affairs director in March. Under his leadership, the station won numerous awards from Voice of America, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Michigan Associated Press, the Michigan Association of Broadcasting and the Michigan Bar Association.

A WMU alumnus, Griffin had served as president of WMU's Administrative Professional Association since 1995. In 1993, he received the APA's Outstanding Professional Award. He also was active in many other organizations, including serving on the boards of directors of the Public Radio News Directors Inc., InterCom: The Association of Professional Communicators, the Kalamazoo-Cass chapter of the American Red Cross and Van Buren County Community Corrections.

Griffin was born Sept. 22, 1946, in Baltimore. He is survived by his wife, Robin, a daughter, Kallie, and his mother, Jean McEvoy. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Contributions may be made to the Duane Roberts Scholarship Fund.


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