Personal Award: Peter Gzowski

For 15 years, Peter Gzowski has hosted CBC Radio’s program Morningside, heard weekday mornings, coast to coast, from 9 until noon. This engaging, often inspirational feast of conversation, debate, personal essays, music and drama presents its listeners with a valued and treasured daily exploration of the range of human endeavor. The Peabody Board recognized Morningside with an award in 1982. This year, as he moves into retirement, the Peabody Board makes a personal award to Peter Gzowski. As host of Morningside, Mr. Gzowski has presided over, in his words, “a sort of village bulletin board for the nation.” He has forged an intimacy with listeners equal to any in the annals of broadcasting. Breakfast with Peter Gzowski has been a mainstay of much of the Canadian population, from political figures and celebrities to millions of ordinary citizens. Many Americans lucky enough to live in Canadian border states have become acolytes, as well. In a characteristically modest and self-effacing way, Peter has used his unintentional and unsought celebrity to support numerous worthy philanthropies. He has been named to the Order of Canada, and has received honorary degrees from 11 Canadian universities. Last year, he was awarded the Governor-General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcasting. Today, we are delighted to add the personal Peabody Award to the list of accomplishments of a great broadcaster, Peter Gzowski.