Journalism students benefit from $20,000 endowment

By Jessica Ava Lange, Online Editor

Jennifer and Larry Levine establish endowment out of respect for late Valley College journalism professor.

Former Valley College student Larry Levine returned to campus to honor his late instructor with a $20,000 endowment that will benefit journalism students.

Levine took one class from his mentor Kenneth S. Devol at Valley, but met the former instructor in eighth grade. Levine said Devol, who died in 1997, changed his life with one journalism class at Luther Burbank Junior High.

“In one day, Ken helped me discover that I could write,” Levine said. “In the first hour, in the first class.”

Levine wants to honor the memory of Devol, a man who taught for nearly 30 years at Valley and CSUN and wrote the book “Mass Media and the Supreme Court.”  He recalls that Devol helped students grow into their greatest potential.

Devol received his doctorate from USC before attending Stanford University, studying journalism law and ethics. His career spanned over four decades, including as acting associate dean of the School of Communication and Professional Studies at CSUN where he received the Distinguished Professor Award.  In addition, he taught at USC, San Jose State and Cal State Fullerton.

“Students always said that his mass medial law class was the most difficult and most rewarding class they had at the university” according to an LA Times Article.  “He was extraordinarily respected by the world of journalism education.  It was that respect that allowed journalism to be well-respected on our campus.”

For his part, Levine went on to write for The Burbank Daily Review, The Valley Times and The Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and The Daily News.  Later, Levine began writing commercials for Tom Bradley’s first mayoral race and today owns his political consulting firm – Larry Levine & Associates in Sherman Oaks.

Along with his wife Jennifer, Larry established the Jennifer and Larry Levine Endowment with $20,000 to honor Kenneth S. Devol and provide scholarships for journalism students for years to come.

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