I was a photo intern at the Chronicle in the winter of 2010 but had actually known Ken for several years before that.
Applying for internships was crazy and I sent out so many applications that I never heard anything back from. In my first year of college I applied to the internship at the Chronicle and received a phone call from Ken a couple of weeks later.
I remember sitting in my car in the parking lot of the school where I was going. Ken let me know that I hadn’t made it to the top of his list and that it wasn’t an interview phone call. He was just calling to let me know that he liked some of my photographs, thought I was a good student, and that he would like to see my application again in the future.
I applied the next year, and the phone call I had with Ken a few weeks later was an interview. I remember how nervous I was. Ken had some questions for me about photography and what I had been working on but also just about me, he was mostly curious to know what kind of person I am I think.
I didn’t quite make it that year and received a very nice and formal letter from Ken that I hung on my wall as inspiration next to a few other rejection letters.
I applied again my last year in school, after having gained some other work experience and Ken accepted me as the intern for the fall.
Ken welcomed me to Muskegon, made sure I was settled into the apartment he had arranged for the interns and that I had everything I needed.
Ken was a good mentor to me during that time, he gave me respect and responsibility. He sent me out on several very serious assignments beyond what most interns would do. He let me know when I had done well and certainly when I messed up.
I am so thankful to Ken and the Chronicle staff for the experience I had there.
Ken Stevens has been a reference for me for several years and his name still marks my resume. We’ve lost a good colleague and a good friend.
I will remember Ken fondly forever as a mentor who guided me for several years.