Eric Smith

The Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education has selected a new member. On Monday (2/17), the board chose Eric Smith, former general manager of WNMU-FM and TV. Two others were interviewed for the position.

The chosen candidate, Smith, served in higher education for more than 49 years and expressed a need to give back to MAPS, which was "instrumental" in the success of his two sons who are Marquette Senior High School (MSHS) alumni. “Well, I’m retired from Northern Michigan University, I served there for 49 years,” said Smith. “I have administrative experience, but I also worked with their technology so some of the strengths that I bring into this board have to do with project management, technology, and some of those kinds of things.”

Smith’s term runs through the end of 2026, when elections will be held to fill the seat.  Smith is also past-president of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters.

He replaces former board member Glenn Sarka, who died of cancer last month.