KPBS is proud to recognize the Beyster Family as the 2014 Hall of Fame Visionaries, and Ken Kramer, host of About San Diego, as the 2014 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement honoree.
The Beyster Family has been supporting KPBS for more than 25 years. Recently, they have contributed to the station’s science and technology fund, launching this key area as a designated reporting beat within the KPBS newsroom and helping to provide the resources for KPBS to share these news stories across its media platforms. Additionally, the Beysters have supported the local programming initiative KPBS Explore with contributions toward Savor San Diego over the last two years.
Dr. Bob Beyster founded SAIC in 1969 with a focus on employee ownership, a decentralized structure, and a commitment to customer service. These same principles shape the family’s approach to philanthropy and community involvement. Parents Bob and Betty Beyster established the Beyster Institute at the Rady School of Management and the Betty and Bob Beyster Institute for Nursing Research, Advanced Practice, and Simulation at the University of San Diego. The Beyster children (Mary Ann, Jim, Mark and wife, Lan) support a variety of social and environmental causes that reflect their own interests in science, technology, education, the environment, and the arts. Daughter Mary Ann Beyster, who is the head of FED, Foundation for Enterprise Development (the family’s non-profit foundation), is active in the La Jolla Music Society, MIT, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UCSD, and The Nature Conservancy. Son Jim Beyster supports the SIO, Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, and the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. Son Mark and wife Lan have established a fellowship with the Vietnamese American Bar Association.
About the Hall of Fame
Created in 2010, the KPBS Hall of Fame honors individuals and families who have made significant contributions to the station through their work, philanthropy, and leadership. Since its inception, more than 20 honorees have been inducted in two distinct categories: Lifetime Achievement and Visionaries. Lifetime Achievement honorees are former staff whose work set new standards for public media and added to the station’s value within the community. The Visionaries celebrates previous and current supporters whose commitment helps KPBS advance its mission and service to the community.
“The Beyster Family is pleased to support KPBS’ Science and Technology reporting,” says Mary Ann Beyster. “We are particularly proud of KPBS’ breadth of web content and its availability worldwide to everyone with internet access.”
Armed with a keen sense of curiosity, a passion for broadcasting, and a natural gift for storytelling, Ken Kramer joined KPBS (then KEBS) as a student assistant in 1968 while attending SDSU. During his 13 years at KPBS, Ken worked as studio operator, classical music announcer, and pledge host. He eventually became the Director of News and Information Programming. During his time at KPBS, Ken wrote and produced more than 200 news stories and several full programs for NPR. "I've always been fascinated by the little-known stories of our county,” said Kramer. “It might be discovering how a place got its name, or busting some long held popular myth about San Diego.”
About San Diego first aired as a radio program on KPBS in 1972. In 1979 About San Diego made its television debut. In 1984, Ken took the series to KSDO where it aired as a radio program for many years. Ken later joined NBC 7 San Diego as a reporter and from 2006-2009 About San Diego aired as a half-hour TV program. But in 2010, KPBS once again became the place Ken and About San Diego called home. The series highlights the people and places that define San Diego – from the history of Cowles Mountain to a visit to one of the area’s oldest candy shop. Yet it’s Ken’s warmth and inquisitive nature that make him everyone’s favorite historian.
"I am so honored to join the likes of Ken Jones, Paul Steen, Gloria Penner, Paul Marshall, and Tom McManus in The KPBS Hall of Fame,” says Kramer. “When I started my career at KEBS back in the 1960s, it was a tiny operation. Since then, the station has grown into something I never imagined. I’m both proud and humbled to be a part of KPBS."
Congratulations to the 2014 KPBS Hall of Fame honorees!
Visit our photo gallery honoring all the Hall of Fame Inductees.
Watch the videos honoring previous inductees:
