Nose for news

Just ask Cal State Long Beach alumnus Chuck Philips, who received this prestigious award on April 12, 1999 for his entertainment reporting.

The Los Angeles Times reporter shared the honor with partner Michael Hiltzik, who helped Philips expose corruption in the music and entertainment industry.

Philips, who graduated in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in newspaper journalism, came to CSULB with no idea that journalism would later become a successful career.

"I came to [CSULB] just wanting to get a degree, and journalism seemed like it would be an easy but interesting major," said Philips, who has always enjoyed writing.
 
 

Philips entered CSULB at age 36 after a failed attempt at a silk-screening business.  While on campus, Philips worked on the staff of the Daily Forty-Niner, writing news and entertainment stories while at the same time working toward a minor in music.

When asked of the time he spent  at CSULB, Philips doesn't recall much.  "I basically met the minimum requirements for each class, and wasn't too involved," said Philips, who works in the business section of the Times.

Daily duties for Philips involve lots of time on the phone, sitting at the computer writing stories and occasional on-location interviews. 

When not at work, Philips enjoys playing the guitar and listening to a wide variety of music..