Clark Smith, 89.1 FM WEMU’s program director, retired May 3 after 30 years of service. He was originally hired on as the news director for the station in May 1983 and then named program director in 2007, according to a press release issued by WEMU. He worked both positions until August 2012.
Among Smith’s accolades are expanding WEMU’s coverage of Washtenaw County to include the city councils and school boards in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, AATA and other civic groups.
He is also responsible for WEMU’s strong local election coverage. He created and produced WEMU’s popular “Soapbox Summer” series on which candidates whose names appear on the Washtenaw County primary ballot are given three minutes of free airtime for a stump speech.
“When I was in high school, I wanted to be in broadcasting,” Smith said in a press release. “I’m one of the fortunate few who’s been able to pursue that dream and hold onto it for a career, and I couldn’t be more grateful to all those who helped me along the way, and all the wonderful people I’ve worked with all these years.”
WEMU hopes to post the position for a new program director the week of May 13. While the search for someone to fill Smith’s shoes commences, his responsibilities will be shared among various staff members.
