The members of the Public Media Affinity Group Coalition (AGC) are deeply saddened by the passing of two of our former representatives, Beth Courtney and Shae Hopkins. To lose them both is a profound loss for our public media community, and for the many colleagues and friends whose lives they touched.

Beth devoted more than 45 years to public media and helped build Louisiana Public Broadcasting into a strong statewide service for the people of Louisiana. Shae devoted 40 years to Kentucky Educational Television, ultimately leading one of the nation’s most respected statewide public media organizations. Both carried their leadership far beyond their home states, giving generously of their experience, judgment, and voices in service to public media nationally.

Their accomplishments alone would constitute remarkable legacies. But for those of us fortunate enough to know Beth and Shae, the titles and achievements tell only part of the story.

They were generous colleagues, mentors, counselors, and friends. They shared what they knew. They encouraged new leaders finding their footing, offered perspective when the answers were not obvious, and understood that leadership includes supporting the people around you. Both possessed great spirits, good humor, warmth, and a genuine affection for their colleagues. They made our work better, but more importantly, they made our community stronger.

The members of the AGC are grateful for Beth and Shae, for their service to Louisiana and Kentucky, for their extraordinary contributions to public media, and for the friendship, wisdom, and generosity they shared with so many of us.

We will miss their voices, their counsel, their laughter, and their presence among us. Most of all, we will miss our friends.

On behalf of a grateful public media system, we extend our deepest sympathy to their families and friends, and to their colleagues at KET and Louisiana Public Broadcasting, who shared so much of their lives and their work.

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About AGC
The Public Television Affinity Group Coalition (AGC) was founded to serve as a forum for addressing system-wide issues of interest to public television stations. It is a station-led coalition of two representatives each from public television’s major affinity groups – member organizations that represent public television stations based on licensee type, community size and service profile.