Texas Tech Alumnus Keith Samples to be Inducted into Mass Communications Hall of Fame

A Texas Tech alumnus who has found success as a screenwriter and director will be inducted into the Mass Communications Hall of Fame this week.

Keith Samples founded and became the chief executive officer of Rysher Entertainment, which grew from the 1990’s television show Saved by the Bell, and also produced Hollywood films such as “Big Night” and “Kingpin.”

Samples left Rysher Entertainment, and made his screenwriting debut in 1997 with the movie “A Smile Like Yours.” He also directed the 2008 action movie “Love Lies Bleeding.”

Samples said “At Tech, I got the chance to interact with a number of people in the sports side of television through my jobs in the athletic department…The people I interacted with during my years at Texas Tech, both teachers and students, have been a constant inspiration throughout my career.”

Samples earned his degree in journalism from Tech in 1977, and then served as the sports information director for the university, before choosing to work in the television and film industry.

Samples will be honored at the 2011 Hall of Fame Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 14^th at the International Cultural Center.

Mass Communications Hall of Fame nominations are made by students and faculty members.