MPR Welcomes New Board Members
• The Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) has welcomed two new members: Sarah Karon, Board President of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County and District 5 Town Commissioner in Longboat Key FL, and Dr. Brian Harrison, Ph.D., political scientist, author, political campaign and communication consultant, and real estate developer, were recently elected to the board.
Karon’s previous board experience includes the advisory board for WUSF public media in Tampa, FL, the WCA Foundation in Minneapolis, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, and World Without Genocide in St. Paul, MN. Karon holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and an MFA from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.
Harrison earned a bachelor’s degree in government and English and literary history from Georgetown University; a master’s in communication, public relations & advertising from DePaul University; and a master’s degree and doctorate in political science from Northwestern University. Harrison most recently taught at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Prior to academia, he was a White House appointee for the Department of Homeland Security.
“We’re delighted to welcome Sarah and Brian to the MPR Board of Trustees,” said Jean Taylor, CEO of Minnesota Public Radio. “Both of these new Trustees have great passion for service to their communities and are huge fans of public media. At the same time, they will each bring incredible expertise, perspective, and a track record of success in the areas of philanthropy and inclusion. Their presence and engagement will make an already strong board even stronger.”
“I am a fortunate person to have lived my whole life in towns and cities that were inhabited warmly and wisely by public radio stations,” said Karon. “My background in traditional journalism makes me value public radio all the more for its excellent standards and commitment to the profession. Public radio is a critical component of our nation’s democracy, convening our communities via the airwaves to keep us informed, engaged, and entertained. I am inspired and honored to play a role in supporting its mission.”
Harrison remarked, “An informed American public has never been more vital to our country than it is now. MPR’s vision of ‘a connected America fueled by trust and understanding’ underscores the indispensable role public media plays in cultivating knowledgeable, thoughtful citizens. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to its continued success.”
