Broadcast professor Dr. Harold Niven has died. He was 86.
A leader of the Broadcast Pioneers and Broadcast Education Association, he also was at one time a vice president of the National Association of Broadcasters.
He died last week in Chevy Chase, Md.
According to an obituary provided by his family through BEA, Harold F. Niven Jr. was born in Rocky Ford, Colo. in 1923. He received a B.A. from University of Denver, M.A. from Stanford University and Ph.D. from Ohio State.
“He spent his professional life as a university professor of radio and television and a vice president for the National Association of Broadcasters. Hal was a member of numerous professional societies and organizations. He served as a national president of the Broadcast Pioneers and the Broadcast Education Association. He was co founder of the National Broadcast Editorial Association and was a member of the Peabody Awards Committee.”
Niven received the Washington Broadcasters Pioneers 1995 Distinguished Broadcasters Award as well.
“Throughout his career he cemented the relationship between commercial broadcasters and broadcast educators,” according to the obituary. “Through his efforts, college and university professional and educational broadcasting has acquired an unprecedented level of respect and acceptance in the broadcasting profession.”
Niven joined the army in 1943 and served as a tank commander in the 14th Armored Division.
In 1946 he married Rosemary Buskirk; they had three children. A twin brother, Jarold, died earlier.
