Distinguished Alumni Award

Edward Christian, M.A. ’81, is recognized as one of the nation’s top broadcasting executives. He serves as chairman, president, and chief executive officer for Saga Communications, the company which he built and today is the 17th largest radio group in the nation. Through SagaCommunications Ed oversees 91 radio stations and several television stations as well as the Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota radio networks and the Michigan and Minnesota farm radio networks.

Ed has actively served on the boards of nearly every major national and statewide radio industry trade group, and he also is involved on the boards of various Detroit based charities.

Ed continues his commitment to learning at Central Michigan University as an unpaid adjunct professor in the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts. He regularly travels to Mount Pleasant at his own expense to lecture in undergraduate and graduate classes.

Many universities have asked for his services, but Ed remains a steadfast supporter of CMU. Recently, Ed spearheaded the acquisition of a translator license for WMHW’s HD-2 service so programming can be heard at 101.1 FM. In addition to his gift of the needed equipment, Ed provided the services of his consulting engineer and HD-2 programmer.