Devin Scillian, an esteemed figure in Detroit journalism, is set to retire from his longstanding role as a news anchor at WDIV-TV. His departure is scheduled for December, rounding out an impressive 30-year tenure. Scillian, 61, announced he will sign off on December 13, allowing him the opportunity to cover another presidential election and one last America's Thanksgiving Parade, according to The Detroit News.
During his farewell statement on air, Scillian reflected on the deep connection he's fostered with his audience over the years. "I will be spending a lot of time over these next two months trying to express my gratitude to you for welcoming me into your home and trusting me with what I feel is a deeply important and profound task," he said, as reported by The Detroit News. His commitment to journalism was further emphasized as he mentioned he would advocate for "journalism that is trustworthy, clear-eyed, and dogged" even after exiting the newsroom.
Scillian's career has been marked not only by his anchoring duties but also by his numerous achievements and contributions beyond the newsdesk. He is an award-winning journalist, a three-time Edward R. Murrow Award recipient, an accomplished musician, and the author of multiple children's books. In a nod to his various talents and hobbies, he stated that he wanted to devote more time to his other passions, one of them being music with his country band, Arizona Son. This variety of interests has defined the balance in Scillian's life and craft, detailed by the Detroit Free Press.
As Scillian prepares to leave WDIV, general manager Bob Ellis spoke on Scillian's impact and the nature of transitions in the journalism industry. "We have a ton of talented journalists here, all of whom will play a role in continuing the legacy of our station and the work Devin has done," Ellis expressed. The transition reflects a broader trend in Detroit television, with several major departures shaking up local news stations in the past years, including figures like Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle, which Detroit Free Press highlights.
