ANN ARBOR—Stephen Schram, interim director of Michigan Public Media at the University of Michigan, has been selected as director effective Oct. 1.

Michigan Public Media includes Michigan Radio, an NPR news station broadcasting in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Flint, Michigan Television, a PBS member station broadcasting in Flint, Michigan Productions, a University department offering full-service studio and on-location video production services, plus The Michigan Channel, theUniversity’s cable channel devoted to lifelong learning, seen on Comcast channel 22 in Washtenaw County.

Schram, who joined Michigan Public Media as interim director in March 2006, was chosen after a nationwide search.

“Since joining Michigan Public Media in March, I have been very impressed by the depth and dedication of our team. I truly value the support of President Mary Sue Coleman, and thank our members, listeners and viewers for their belief in the high-quality, informative programming we strive to deliver,” Schram said. “With this appointment, we can now plan the continued growth and vibrancy of Michigan Radio and Michigan Television, to make it the best public broadcast service in the state. “

As director, Schram will be responsible for continuing Michigan Public Media’s high-quality news and information programming, as well as overseeing all aspects of business operations.

“Michigan Public Media constitutes a family of tremendous assets for the University in its service to the public, and we can be very proud of it,” Coleman said. “I have been deeply impressed by Steve Schram’s efforts and accomplishments since he began serving as interim director in March. He has turned his wealth of experience in broadcasting and broadcast management to the great benefit of Michigan Public Media. “

Schram has 17 years of senior leadership experience in the Detroit radio and TV market, including executive positions with Infinity Broadcasting, Clear Channel Broadcasting and WJBK-TV Fox 2.

In 2003, he was hired as vice president and general manager of three FM radio stations in Detroit, and was promoted to senior vice president and director of sales for Infinity Broadcasting’s six-station Detroit radio group where he served until 2005. From 1996-2002, he was vice president and general manager for Clear Channel’s seven Detroit-area radio stations. He was director of marketing for WJBK-TV Fox 2 from 1988-1996.

Schram served as director of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 1999-2002 and 2003-2005. He holds a B.A. degree in television and radio from Michigan State University.

Michigan Radio, the largest public radio station in the state, serves more than 450,000 listeners through its three broadcast stations: WUOM-FM 91.7 in Ann Arbor, WVGR-FM 104.1 in Grand Rapids and WFUM-FM 91.1 in Flint. Michigan Television, WFUM Channel TV 28 in Flint, reaches more than 3.3 million households in mid and southeast Michigan.

Michigan Public Media has won numerous state and national awards for excellence in reporting and innovative programming. Michigan Radio received six awards for excellence in journalism from the Society of Professional Journalists for news coverage in 2005 and eight awards from the Michigan Associated Press for news coverage in 2005.

These awards follow the February and March 2006 announcements by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters that Michigan Radio was named Public Station of the Year for the seventh time in the last eight years and received eight 2005-2006 Michigan Association of Broadcasters Broadcast Excellence Awards. Michigan Television won two Emmy Awards for programs it produced and aired in 2005.