Garnet R. Garrison Papers, 1928-1990

Summary

Creator:

Garrison, Garnet R., 1911-

Abstract:

Radio and television broadcaster; professor of speech at the University of Michigan; director of television, later director of broadcasting at the university. Biographical material, subject files relating to his career in broadcasting, published writings, speeches, scripts, and audio-visual materials; files document development of television at the University of Michigan, including various administrative and program changes.

Extent:

2 linear feet
1 oversize folder
5 digital audio files

Language:

English

Call Number:

91443 Aa 2; UAm

Authors:

Finding aid created by Doris E. Attaway, 1990

Background

Scope and Content:

The GRG papers span the years 1928-1990 and are divided into five series: Biographical Materials; Early Career; University of Michigan; Writings, Speeches, and Scripts; and Audio-Visual Materials. The collection traces Garrison's long and distinguished career in broadcasting, as well as his many years of teaching. The collection with few exceptions has been maintained in its original chronological order.

Biographical / Historical:

Garnet R. Garrison was born in Warrick County, Indiana in 1911. He received his B.A. from Wayne State University in 1933, and his M.A. from the University of Michigan in 1936. He married Isabelle M. Schelbe, also a WSU graduate. They have one daughter.

Garrison's career in broadcasting began during his student days at WSU when he worked as an announcer at Detroit area radio stations WEXL (1931) and WMBC (1932-1933). While working on his M.A. at the University of Michigan (1933-36), Garrison also worked as free lance announcer-director and newscaster at WXYZ, Detroit, and the Michigan Radio Network (1933-1934). He later joined the staff at radio station WJIM, Lansing as program director, copy writer, and political commentator (1934-1936).

In 1936, Garrison returned to Wayne State University as a lecturer in the Department of Speech. He taught the first courses in broadcasting at this institution, and also served as director of radio. He founded the WSU Broadcasting Guild. Garrison pioneered in the development of a system of audience measurement utilizing diaries, a technique which he continued to research and which became widely used in both radio and television.

During his time on the WSU staff Garrison continued graduate work at the University of Michigan, working on a Ph.D. in education, until his move to the National Broadcasting Company in New York City. During his years at NBC (1942-1947), he covered news and political events, produced several documentaries, and produced and directed many drama programs. He also taught broadcasting courses as a lecturer for Columbia University.

Garrison joined the Speech Department of the University of Michigan as a lecturer in 1947, was appointed associate professor in 1948, and professor in 1950 at which time he also became director of the newly founded Television Center. Under Garrison's direction, the University pioneered in the production and direction of educational TV programs. For several years, the TVC worked in cooperation with station WWJ-TV in Detroit. UM faculty would participate in television programs which were prepared and rehearsed on campus, and then props, scripts, staff, and faculty were transported to Detroit for the live production at WWJ studios. In 1951 stations WJIM (Lansing) and WKZO (Kalamazoo) began simultaneous broadcast of the live WWJ programs via a microwave relay hookup.

Station WOOD (Grand Rapids) began its own cooperative effort with the TVC in 1952 with the multi-part series "Understanding Our World." These programs were developed and rehearsed at the UM campus and then broadcast live from WOOD studios.

In 1953 WPAG, the UHF station in Ann Arbor, requested programming. The TVC provided studio facilities, equipment, and technical assistance, and the UM Speech Department provided student staff as part of its television production courses. Approximately 340 programs were broadcast from 1953 to 1957 when WPAG went off the air.

"Understanding Our World" (originally created for station WOOD) was continued in production by the TVC. UM faculty, and later, local, national, and international personalities, were featured. The format of the programs included interviews, panel discussions, demonstrations, and documentaries, and covered a wide variety of subjects.

The Television Center was also active in co-development with many academic areas of the university in the uses of instruction via closed- circuit television with particular emphasis in the Medical and Law Schools. The TVC documented the life of the university on film: physical changes on campus as new buildings were erected; ceremonies and celebrations involving faculty, students, and distinguished guests; and everyday student life and activities. The TVC also produced a number of films for public relations and educational purposes.

Over the years, the TV Center has received many television and film awards. The first came in 1955 from Variety, which gave the TVC the only Show-Management Plaque ever awarded an educational institution. Many national awards were also received by the stations WUOM and WVGR, and many series were produced for the national listening audience through the National Educational Radio Network.

Garrison was named director of broadcasting in 1958. His responsibilities expanded to include UM radio as well as television. Prior to this appointment, the two areas had operated independently with separate directors.

In 1972, Garrison relinquished the administrative post of director of broadcasting to resume fulltime teaching. He continued teaching until his retirement in 1979. Garrison was named professor emeritus of speech communication and theatre in recognition of his long and distinguished career as teacher, administrator, and broadcaster at the University.

Garrison was co-author (with Giraud Chester, NYC) of the textbook Radio and Television, published in 1950. This work was extensively revised in 1956 and published under the new title, Television and Radio. A third edition was published in 1963, co-authored with Giraud Chester and Edgar Willis (UM Speech Department). The fifth and last edition was published in 1978. This textbook was widely used by colleges and universities around the U.S.

Garrison wrote a number of articles and papers on listener diary techniques, broadcast techniques, and ongoing work in TV at the UM. He appeared on the programs of many regional and national speech and broadcasting conventions and seminars. Garrison was listed in Who's Who in America for several years during the 50's and 60's.

Garrison served on the Executive Council of the Speech Association of America and as a member of the Professional Advancement Committee of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters. He was also a member of the Michigan Association of Speech, the Educational Theatre Association, and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). He served as the chairman of the Communication Arts Committee of the Michigan State Council for the Arts, (1966-1967). He belongs to the honorary fraternities Delta Sigma Rho (Speech), Phi Delta Kappa (Education), Pi Kappa Delta (Speech), and Phi Kappa Phi (Scholarship).

Following his retirement from the university, Garrison collaborated with Professor Alfred Slote (one-time student, faculty colleague, producer-writer at the UM Television Center, and longtime friend) in writing two mysteries Santa Claus Killer and Maze. These were written under the pen name of A.H. Garnet (A.H. from collaborator Alfred H. Slote). Santa Claus Killer was published in 1981, and Maze in 1982. The U.S. publisher was Ticknor and Fields, and the London publisher was Victor Gollancz Ltd.

Acquisition Information:

The collection was received from Garnet R. Garrison in 1990 (donor no. 2810 ).

Processing information:

In preparing digital material for long-term preservation and access, the Bentley Historical Library adheres to professional best practices and standards to ensure that content will retain its authenticity and integrity. For more information on procedures for the ingest and processing of digital materials, please see Bentley Historical Library Digital Processing Note. Access to digital material may be provided either as a direct link to an individual file or as a downloadable package of files bundled in a zip file.

Related

Alternative Form Available:

Digitization: A number of recordings within this collection have been digitized. The resulting files are available for playback online or in the Bentley Library Reading Room according to rights. Original media are only available for staff use.

Subjects

Click on terms below to find any related finding aids on this site.

Subjects:

Radio broadcasting -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Television broadcasting -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Television in education -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Broadcasting.

Formats:

Digital file formats.
Photographs.
Sound recordings.
Videotapes.

Names:

University of Michigan. Broadcasting Service.
University of Michigan -- Faculty.
University of Michigan. Media Resources Center.
University of Michigan. Television Center.
National Broadcasting Company, inc.
Wayne University. Broadcasting Guild.
Garrison, Garnet R., 1911-