Rich Meitin

One of Rich Meitin’s defining qualities was the way in which he threw himself into life with endless curiosity, optimism, and enormous passion. Of his many passions, music was the through line of his life. He had a long career in the music industry as a producer, director, and entrepreneur. Rich owned his own studio, which produced award winning original music, sound design, and audio production with a concentration in national advertising/marketing campaigns. Before he retired, he had the honor of sharing his knowledge and expertise with students at Minnesota State University, Mankato as professor/director of the Music Industry Program.

It’s too simplistic to say that Rich loved teaching and he loved his students, although that’s absolutely true. But that doesn’t capture how deeply he felt about his mission at MSU. He worried with and about his students, he celebrated them and their achievements, he laughed, at times he cried, and he was always pulling for his students and wanted to help if he could. Rich believed teaching the material was only a part of his job, and he was just as passionate about all the intangibles as he was about the subject matter.

Rich once commented to his beloved wife Gayna, that his time teaching was one of the most meaningful things he had ever done. She said she had never seen anyone work harder or be more invested in anything than Rich during his tenure at MSU. Rich had tremendous respect for how hard the students worked, and how they persevered, often despite significant hardships. She has created this scholarship to honor the heart Rich put into teaching, and her own respect and love for him as a professor. She knows Rich would be so pleased that part of his legacy will make the lives of some students a little gentler, and help enable them to live their lives with passion, as he lived his.