Statement from Paula Kerger, President & CEO, PBS on Ward Chamberlin Jr.
Pictured: Ward Chamberlin Jr . Credit: WNET.
"PBS deeply mourns the loss of our friend and colleague Ward Chamberlin Jr.
Ward was one of the founders of public broadcasting in the United States. From its inception in 1967, he served as the operating officer of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and in that capacity played a critical role in the creation of PBS and NPR. He held additional key positions in our industry as managing director of WNET in New York and president and CEO of WETA in Washington, DC.
His contributions to public broadcasting over our history are far reaching, from helping bring Ken Burns’s “The Civil War” to the airwaves to ensuring independent film remains an integral part of public television.
Ward had a brilliant mind, a great sense of humor, and a passion for nurturing emerging talent. His spirit will continue to inspire and guide us as we fulfill the mission and promise of public broadcasting."