Leach a hit with journalism students

Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 10:15 a.m.

He's known for flaunting the glitz and glamour of the rich and famous, but Robin Leach is all seriousness when it comes to talking about the news business.

"The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" star has been making the rounds at UNLV, speaking to would-be print and broadcast journalists about how to make it in journalism. And Leach donated his collection of "Lifestyles" tapes to UNLV's Special Collections department last semester to help students learn television production and interviewing techniques.

"I don't think of myself as a professor in any stretch of the way, except perhaps my graying hair," Leach said. "But I love training kids who have enthusiasm and a passion for this business. If they are hungry, I'll put food on the plate in front of them."

In Mary Hausch's advanced reporting class Thursday morning, Leach told the class of 15 that they needed to "eat it, sleep it and drink it" to do well in journalism. He chronicled his own rise through the ranks, from a young kid working for the "local rag" to a correspondent on CNN.

"Lifestyles" was never mentioned, which to Hausch showed how "grounded" Leach is.

Leach also attempted to ground the students in the reality of the news business, telling them it was a job of little respect and often little pay.

"If you are going into this business for money, you are never going to find it," Leach said. "But if you are going into this business to challenge and change the world, you are in the right profession."

Leach stressed diligence, dedication and discipline in his lecture, and told students that good stories are everywhere if they are just willing to listen.

Often in England, Leach said, he would be sent out to knock on doors to find stories. One time, he said he happened to knock on the door of Winston Churchill's longtime secretary. The 80-plus woman enthralled him for hours with stories about the British leader.

Laura Duncan, a 22-year-old junior who hopes to cover health issues for a newspaper someday, said Leach's lecture got her "all juiced up."

His success, Duncan said, showed her that she doesn't need a degree from Columbia to make it, and that her stories can "change the world."

Hausch said Leach's lectures have been a hit in her other classes too.

"The kids were just spellbound," Hausch said. "He said everything in one hour that it takes me all semester to say, just the nuts and bolts of good pavement journalism."