Welcome from Dan Mueller

It’s all about relationships.

How often has this phrase proven to be true? In fact, it’s because of a relationship that Milwaukee PBS was founded sixty-five years ago. In the 1950s, Milwaukee Mayor Frank Zeidler received a letter from someone he knew on the FCC Board inviting Milwaukee to secure a license to create this new concept of community television. Zeidler later said he suspected there were few mayors receiving such an invitation. Not only did he accept it, but he found a home for this service within the local vocational school, the Milwaukee Area Technical College.

As we continue our year-long 65th Anniversary celebration it is fun to think back on the consequence of his responsiveness. Because public servants like Frank Zeidler and MATC took action, Milwaukee became an early adapter to the world of public, educational media (PBS wasn’t founded until 1969) and southeastern Wisconsin is all the better for it.

Our founders would be amazed today to see how sophisticated this gamble of theirs has become. Today, 100 students are enrolled in television and electronic production classes here. They not only are in our classrooms, but are behind the camera during our live pledge events. Today the quality of our curated programming coming from PBS is astounding and they would, I imagine, be proud at how Milwaukee PBS continues to preserve local storytelling in our community not only through television, but through digital-first programs and podcasts. Content that educates and entertains - that shows us who we are locally and transports us to other times and places - this is the stuff of a sophisticated media organization.

MY GRANDPARENTS’ WAR SEASON 2

Tuesday nights at 8pm Beginning 4/11. Channel 10.1

Nevertheless, one thing has not changed. Our success still comes down to relationships. Our relationship to MATC, to our students deepens over time. It’s our relationships to PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting – arguably one of the most successful public/private partnerships around - and our relationship to you as viewers and members that power us into the future through your ongoing investment in us. We are grateful that you continue this tradition of responsiveness.

Thank you,

Dan Mueller Chief Development Officer