Beth Courtney, who led Louisiana Public Broadcasting for nearly four decades, has died at 81. LPB confirmed her death in a statement from its current president and CEO, Clarence “C.C.” Copeland.
Current reported November 2 that Courtney died Friday, October 30. The publication said a station spokesperson did not immediately know the cause of death.
Courtney joined LPB in 1975 and led it from 1985 until her retirement in early 2022, according to Current. Her work helped establish a lasting place for educational programming, public affairs and Louisiana history on the statewide network.
In LPB’s remembrance, Copeland described Courtney as a mentor whose influence continues through the network’s programs and service to students, teachers and families. He also credited her with helping shape public broadcasting beyond Louisiana.
Her career brings together two responsibilities central to public media: producing programming rooted in a community and developing the people who will carry that work forward.