I FEEL this may be ridiculous. Here I am, having written four articles in my entire time at the University, and I have been given a soap box (with my picture!) in our paper to talk about whatever I want. What do they think I can miraculously pull off? Fortunately I am not here of my own choice, I am here by tradition and nagging reminders by the current Managing Board.
I am not going to spend my time imparting wisdom or pontificating about the glory or dangers of the University or The Cavalier Daily. If you want that, look here another day of the week. I am going to use this space for the best purpose I can imagine: to thank the people who made my time at the University bearable at its worst, and amazing at its best. I especially want to call out those who made my days and nights living in a basement void of light and real food full of laughter and friendship.
After working for the paper for three and a half years, I feel very old. I know I am not, but I still feel wizened at times. When I think of the paper, most of my thoughts reach back, looking at friends who were the upperclassmen when I was young, the leaders who I followed and the mentors who guided me along the way.
It starts with two young women who pulled me in and convinced me, against my better judgment, that the paper would be a good investment of my time and a fabulous place to work. Mariko Fritz-Krockow asked me to do design for a new pullout section on entertainment called tableau. It screamed pretension and irrelevancy when I first heard her describe the project, but I loved both entertainment and design, so I was intrigued. I soon started coming down to the office three days a week, and quickly met Leah Nylen. She was the Operations Manager at the time, a job I already aspired to. Although she was always stressed out by something, whether it was a controversial comic, a server crashing or a story running late, she always made time to say hello.I am sure that if it weren't for the two of you, I would have turned around at some point during those first couple months and never come back. I still question whether running for StudCo or becoming a bus driver might have been a better choice.
Around this time I also met the editor of the Production department. Chris Gibson was not only the god of production, but also one of the most respectable and classy guys I have ever known. As I moved into a job as Chris's partner, designing the entire paper every other day of the week, he was my role model both for my page designs and for my actions. Whenever I doubted what I was doing in regards to the CD, I simply asked myself what Chris would do. But Chris, after two years of working together, I do wish you could have learned my name.
During my time as production editor I worked closely with Dan Bagley, my predecessor as OM. Dan showed me how to be a geek but still remain relevant and respectable in a room full of egotistical writers and editors. He showed me how to behave as Operations Manager but also how I could apply for jobs after school with OM on my resume and make a very satisfactory salary. My family thanks you, Dan, for helping me avoid a life of petty crime.
After working for the paper for a year and a half, I decided it would be a wonderful idea to run for the Managing Board as a second-year. It was a crazy idea, and one I never regret. Our Managing Board was unique in that the chief concerns during our term had nothing to do with stories or scandals (Grant's attempts at angering the Religious Right not-withstanding). During the first week of our term, we learned we were nearing bankruptcy and the focus of our year running the paper was clear. Even with this non-normative start, or perhaps because of it, my time on the 117th staff was a highlight of my time here at the University. To the entire 117th staff, you were one of the most competent and impressive groups of individuals I have ever worked with. As I enter the corporate world next year, I hope to work with people as skilled and as talented as you all were. Specifically, I can't imagine a group I could be as close with as my MB.
Herb, we were both nuts to run for MB as second-years, something I am sure our GPAs and our unhealthy sleep habits can attest to. It was fun working with you, and it was fun working under your "other" Managing Board with you as Editor-in-Chief. I wish you the best of luck, and give me a call whenever you wander into the Windy City.
Kathleen, Mike said this last year as well, but you truly were the superstar of our MB. You were chiefly responsible for everything we were most proud of, from our financial boon to the ongoing life of that immortal goldfish. I can't wait for us to run another late night errand with our death sticks.
Alex, you are easily one of the most awkward individuals I know and I severely miss that odd sense of humor and etiquette now that you are gone. I hope law school and NYC are treating you wonderfully, and no one is too "bossy". Next time I buy a suit, I'll be sure to ask your advice on the pants.
Mike, you were an incredible Editor-in-Chief. I may have disagreed with you ardently at times, but I never had anything but respect for your ideas and your actions. I do think you should pay a little less attention to the CD, live-blogging aside. I can't wait to see your run for governor, just so I can design your letterhead and your campaign posters.
I also want to specifically thank the Graphics department. Steve, John, Jon, Ellisha, Meng and Grant: you were the biggest pains in my ass. The OM faces very few problems regarding content, and even fewer issues of scandal. Except for comics. You guys always kept me and Mikey on our toes, and you were the single most stressful aspect of my job. You were also the most fun and taught me that nothing is above criticism, ridicule or a good joke. Notice I said good joke however -- plenty of what you turned in to me was crap, and you know it.
To the 119th staff: I am wonderfully excited for the year to come. I have so much faith in this Managing Board and the entire staff to make the CD continuously better and maybe the best it's ever been.
Andrew, I could not feel more confident that I am graduating with the position of OM in the most capable of hands. I can't wait for you to settle into your role and bring production, graphics and the Web site to new levels.
Cait, I can't believe I have only gotten to know you well over the past several months via Steve, who has already graduated. I am sure your run as AME will be fantastic, and I can't wait for Chicago this summer, if I ever see you after finishing your terribly early morning shifts.
I also want to thank my family and friends outside of the CD. To my parents, who reluctantly gave up their ability to contact me regularly, thank you for all the support. Every decision I made, to get more involved or to pull back, was mine, and I always knew you were behind me 100 percent. To my friends, especially Grant and Mica, I know the CD has sucked away my free time like a Hoover, and I thank you for understanding my choices and accepting what I could give.
Finally, I want to thank the paper for helping me find one of the greatest things I will leave this University with. I love you Maria, and I can't wait for Chicago and everything else.
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