Lauren Zweitzig, KLN ’99, grew up with the cherry-and-white spirit in her house. Temple University defined education for her father, a first-generation college student who earned his bachelor of science in engineering from Temple University’s College of Engineering in 1977. 

“He talked about Temple with such pride all the time,” Lauren, a communications specialist and a four-time Emmy-winning news producer, said. “He was so proud of getting his degree from there.” 

Lauren brought the same spirit to their daughter, Grace Zweitzig, KLN ’26, who felt the significance of Temple University’s impact on her mother’s life throughout her childhood. 

“My parents both talked about their experiences at Temple in a very special and interesting way to me,” Grace said. “I saw that Temple could really shape a strong career and personality for someone, and that was what interested me.” 

Lauren’s involvement in Temple Update as a student introduced her to the role of producer, the role that later came to define her career and passion.  

“I did not like being on camera one bit,” she shared. “But then I saw production, and I learned that you are running the whole show. You’re creating a new show every day, or every week in the case of Temple Update, and getting to do a lot of the writing, which was what I really loved.” 

Lauren’s experience with Temple Update segued seamlessly into her first role as a producer at WFMZ-TV in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She later went on to work in several producer roles in Hartford, Connecticut; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Denver, Colorado, before transitioning into communications at 27J Schools in the Denver metropolitan area.

When Grace’s time to apply for colleges arrived, Temple University was her first and only choice. 

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Grace also got involved in Temple Update, taking advantage of all that Temple University had to offer by joining other organizations like the Fashion Business Club. At Temple Update, Grace worked behind the scenes and even worked as a weather girl, while the Fashion Business Club offered her opportunities to attend fashion week events and intern for a Paris designer. 

“Temple Update was the first club that I felt like I fully integrated myself into and made friends in,” Grace said. “Every week or every other week, I was doing a broadcast, being live and getting to watch myself improve.” 

Lauren and Grace both explored their passions at Klein and within Temple Update. Lauren discovered her exciting passion for producing behind the scenes, and Grace thrived in front of the camera. 

“I think it’s interesting how similar but also different our paths are because Grace likes to be on camera,” Lauren said. “Her father is a Tyler grad, and she definitely has his creativity, and I think it’s just fantastic. I couldn’t have written our story better myself.” 

The family shared their excitement at graduation when Lauren showed them her photos in Annenberg Hall throughout the different Temple Update classes in which she participated. 

“When I went back for Grace’s graduation, I was able to show her brothers the wall of Temple Update class photos, and I was there for four semesters, and now Grace is in the 2025 and 2026 ones,” Lauren said. “That was really special.” 

“It’s neat to look back on all these years,” she added. “I get excited to see what opportunities are ahead of Grace.”