They say all good things come to an end. And today we’re sad to say our longtime news anchor and arts reporter Meridee Duddleston will retire from the WRTI airwaves as of August 31st.
While you’ve enjoyed her as our morning news anchor for years, Meridee has also been an incredible colleague who always brought professionalism, dedication, and excellence to the many hats she’s worn during her 15-year tenure.
An attorney by trade, Meridee came to WRTI in 2003 as a volunteer, never expecting to stay. “The first day I came to the station, surrounded by the notes and melodies that are our daily fare, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”
Meridee began as a general assignment news reporter eventually working her way to news anchor and arts reporter. As WRTI grew, she assumed more challenges as an audio producer, digital content provider, and performance studio host.
What most people don’t know is that behind-the-scenes, Meridee was busy with other work: she compiled WRTI’s quarterly FCC reports, trained students, and organized online content for special on-air themes such as Valentine’s Day and our hosts’ favorite holiday music. It’s fair to say these last two can best be likened to herding cats!
“Meridee will be missed by us all," says WRTI General Manager Bill Johnson. "Her talent, her judgment, her commitment, and her presence are part of the fabric of WRTI. Her curiosity, love of learning, and easygoing personality have made her a friend to colleagues, and an asset to our workplace. We’ve been lucky to have her at WRTI for the past 15 years; but we also recognize that this retirement is well earned and deserved.”
When it comes to arts reporting, Meridee says, “There are not many people who get a chance to interview the artists, thought influencers, and just plain interesting individuals we come in contact with. I am grateful to have been a part of WRTI’s mission to share the arts with the community.”
What’s next? A period of rest and relaxation, followed by a new venture in the making—or as we like to say in radio, “Stay tuned.”