Her Vision Remains Our Mission Today.

Educator, idealist and WETA founder, Elizabeth P. Campbell remains an inspiration to WETA staff. She guided WETA TV/FM, Washington D.C.'s public broadcaster, for over 40 years, from a fledgling local station to a multi-media company of national renown. She educated the TV generation.

Elizabeth's goal was to do more than build radio and TV stations — it was to create an educational institution dedicated to enriching the lives of the people of Greater Washington.

Even before she founded WETA, Elizabeth Campbell had made her mark as a leader. Instilled with deep faith, and a passion to teach, she has championed free, quality education and been active in the community all her life. Through it all, she has acted on her convictions: 19th century values she carried into the 21st.

Dec. 4, 1902 - Jan. 9, 2004

There is a big hole in WETA's heart today. But Elizabeth has left a wonderful legacy. We will carry on in the fashion that she would want — creating and broadcasting exceptional television and radio programming. We will be honoring her memory on the air in the coming days.

Intellectually, I have always known that this time would come. Personally, I could never prepare for it. She was my friend and my hero. As long as we are here, Elizabeth's spirit will be at the core of WETA.

Please keep Elizabeth's family in your thoughts and prayers: her daughter, Virginia Holt of Phoenix, Arizona; and her two sons, the Reverend Ben Campbell of Richmond, Virginia, and Don Campbell of Arlington, Virginia; and her eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

- Sharon Percy Rockefeller President and CEO, WETA January 9, 2004