Everything that is ‘Devine’

Devine Recognized: Woman of the Year

“I received more from Cal State Fullerton than most of my peers from other schools. I loved that.”

According to Karen Devine (Broadcast Journalism ’89), she obtained broadcasting skills at Cal State Fullerton, such as using her own camera to editing to stand-up newscastinig. She found that other graduates and interns from other more “prestigious” schools didn’t have a lot of the same experience or exposure to the industry. Because of her skills, she understood the business and was able to ask the right questions. When she graduated, she had a tape ready to send out.

“My goal was to send out at least one tape a week to stations around the country looking for a job,” Devine says.

Now, she’s Woman of the Year.

Sen. Jim Battin nominated Devine, now a nightly news anchor for KMIR, an NBC affiliate in Palm Springs, for Woman of the Year for her mentoring and teaching young women just starting in broadcasting. Devine covered the awards every year, but someone else was covering the awards in 2007 when she won it for the State of California.

“I am honored. I don’t feel worthy, but it’s nice to be among other women who have helped the community,” says Devine, obviously touched by this extra special recognition.

As a field producer, Devine started her career with CNN’s “Showbiz Today” through the school’s internship program, which she found on the job board. She applied, interviewed and got the job. It wasn’t a paid internship at first, but then she was paid to stay.

After a year at CNN, Devine went to the City of Walnut where she reported and anchored for a weekly news program. Finally one of her tapes was recognized and in February 1992, KMIR said “come on down.”

Woman of the Year is an understatement. She manages a full-time career and a family while being a distinguished four-time Emmy Award winner and a “favorite local television personality” in 2004 and 2007.

Devine has a passion for what she does. Not to sound like a cliché, she said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. The job is hard enough. It’s a business where egos are unwarranted. It’s important to listen and I’m still learning every day. If you listen and work hard, I believe you can do anything you want.”

She also is fortunate to have the support from her family and friends.

In 1995, Devine was promoted to news director at KMIR. During her five-year tenure as news director, her son became seriously ill. Her supervisor and co-workers were extremely supportive; however, she knew she couldn’t do it all. One day she realized that her priorities were all wrong.

Today, Devine is very happy as the evening news anchor.

“I’m better at reporting and editing. However, I’m glad to have an understanding and the insight into what is happening at the top,” Devine said.

KH

‘Curiosity’ leads to cool treasure hunts

“I get to do the things kids talk about and want to do,” exclaimed Joel Greene (Public Relations ’97), the host, creator and producer of “Curiosity Quest,” which airs on PBS.

The show recently won three 2007 Telly Awards and an Accolade Award.

“Curiosity Quest” is a show that aims to answer various letters of curiosity sent in by viewers. Every quest involves Greene going on location in pursuit of the answer to the question. The entire process is unscripted and offers an entertaining, hands-on and spontaneous experience.

The show started as a local cable access show in 2001, and since then Greene has answered questions that involve subjects ranging from Krispy Kreme donuts, pet adoption, fire fighting and Go-Kart racing. The show is currently working on a series about recycling.

Greene said the knowledge gained at Cal State Fullerton contributes to his career now. Public relations is involved in many aspects of what Greene does for “Curiosity Quest,” including self-promotion and working to get the message of the show out to the public.”

The show’s mission is to stimulate intellectual curiosities of the community through wholesome programming by inviting viewers on an educational yet enjoyable exploration.

The last subject Greene explored was sent in by a viewer named Wade who wanted to know about the outcome of green waste, like cut grass and pruned bushes.

“Recording the show is the smallest part of the process, which lasts one to two days. We spend 10 days producing, editing and post-editing,” Greene said.

Along with hosting his own television show, Greene enjoys re-enacting historical events at Southern California’s elementary schools. He has been involved in that for the past 12 years. He manages to participate in these presentations throughout the school year as well as recording “Curiosity Quest.”

“I get to do the coolest stuff,” he said. “I get to do the things kids talk about and want to do like fly helicopters and drive tractors.”

Today, the show reaches millions of viewers across the United States and locally on Southern California’s PBS station KVCR-TV on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m.

“I’m the biggest kid imaginable,” Greene admitted.

Although Greens is the ultimate big kid, his entertaining take on education truly engages the curiosity of the entire family.

Contributed by Serena Alfaro
Public Relations ’08

PR alum touts golf tours

Caddy: Brian Robin assists Kenny G during a practice round before the Mark Christopher Charity Classic at Empire Lakes.

In the words of Ben Stein, “It’s best if the seeker loves his work so much that he or she doesn’t even consider it a burden, but rather a joyful, fulfilling, highly organizing principle of life.”

Speaking with Brian Robin (RTVF ’88), you can hear the enthusiasm in his voice. Being a sports journalist for 17 years, Robin now works for the most preeminent sports public relations firm on the West Coast, Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc. A senior account executive for the firm’s golf division is anything but a burden. He loves it!

Robin is also one of the few who can boast about winning Ben Stein’s money. In 1998, Robin correctly answered six questions and took $5,000 of Ben Stein’s money on the Emmy Award winning game show, “Win Ben Stein’s Money.” If that wasn’t fulfilling enough, Robin had a two-show run on Jeopardy, taking home $10,599.

When asked about the secret to his success, Robin said, “It’s a combination of being outgoing, articulate, friendly, easily adaptable, a good writer and falling into golf.”

He started writing about golf over 10 years ago and loved it. Robin is an award-winning writer, according to the Society of Professional Journalists in 2001 and 2002.

While attending Cal State Fullerton, Robin was a part-time writer for the Press Enterprise in the Inland Empire. Robin acknowledges, “Having an aptitude for writing, they gave me more and more. Originally, I wanted to be a broadcast journalist doing play-by-plays. Then I realized that it wouldn’t be full time and I wasn’t a former professional athlete.”

Robin publicizes a number of annual golf tournaments, such as the PGA, LPGA and the Champions Tour to name a few. In 2005, Robin found himself at “ground zero” at the highly publicized disqualification of Michelle Wie during her professional golf debut.

Robin also attributes a tremendous amount of his success to his professor’s at Cal State Fullerton.

“Dr. David Pincus and Professor Jay Berman (Communications) are phenomenal and excellent at what they do. They also stressed good writing throughout the communications department,” Robin said.

Robin feels that professors such as Pincus and Berman are highly undervalued. “They have a wealth of practical experience that one cannot obtain strictly through academics.”

As an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne where he has been teaching news reporting for five years and has dabbled in feature writing and news editing, he adds his own practical experience to his classes.

-KH