If you've ever suffered through a dull class here on Grounds, chances are at some point or another you've picked up a crossword puzzle to help pass those monotonous 50 minutes. The man responsible for all those puzzles, The New York Times' crossword puzzle editor Will Shortz, came to speak at the University Wednesday.
Speaking in front of a large crowd in the Chemistry Auditorium , Shortz, a trim, mustachioed man, emphasized his pleasure at being back at the University, where he received a law degree in 1977.
In an interview after the show, Shortz said he lived on the Range during his last semester at the University.
It was "an honor to be there," he said. "I just love being a part of the history of U.Va."
Since leaving the University, Shortz has served as the crossword editor for The New York Times since 1993. He is also the puzzle master on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Sunday program , director of the U.S. Puzzle Team and founder and director of the U.S. Crossword Puzzle Tournament.
"I love how puzzles take you into virtually every field of human knowledge," he said in an interview.
Shortz began his lecture by talking about what makes a good crossword puzzle.
"First, it should have an interesting, fun, original theme," he said, noting that it should have "lively vocabulary" and keep obscure references to a minimum.
Shortz, who receives between 75 and 100 crossword submissions a week, also talked about a few of his favorite puzzles. He mentioned a puzzle in which seven answers contained the symbol of a star, which formed the shape of the big dipper once the puzzle was completed, and another puzzle that spelled out a marriage proposal. Shortz explained that anyone can send him crosswords for him to edit.
When he finds a puzzle he likes, Shortz determines what day of the week it will run -- Monday is easiest, Sunday hardest -- and then he changes the clues to make them more challenging or interesting.
"On average, about half the clues in the Times' crosswords are mine," he said.
After Shortz edits the puzzles, they are sent to three "test solvers," who give Shortz feedback to ensure the crosswords are acceptable for the public.
With the popularity of crosswords and Sudoku among students, Shortz's behind-the-scenes perspective of the puzzle-making process was a natural draw. The auditorium was filled early with a large and diverse crowd.
"I think what struck me the most about the event was the variety of people it attracted," second-year College student Leise Hook said. "There were many students, but there were also many professors, and I even saw my own doctor in the crowd."
Shortz described his unique background to those in attendance, explaining how he came to be the only known person to hold a degree in enigmatology, or the study of puzzles, which he studied at the University of Indiana. Shortz designed the major himself after initially pursuing other fields of study.
"I changed my mind several times," he said. "I actually declared my major in economics [before] finding out about this program where I could major in puzzles and so I switched and did that."
Shortz went on to Law School at the University, but did not pursue a career as a lawyer.
"When I graduated, everyone wanted me to take the bar exam, but no, I went right into puzzles," he said, "because I knew that's what I wanted."
Shortz also gave a brief history of crossword puzzles in his talk and answered questions before playing a series of word games with the audience. He divided the crowd into orange and blue teams and quizzed contestants with quick association games, similar to the ones he plays with callers on his radio segment on NPR.
"Shortz was obviously a talented and experienced speaker and provided everyone with a good time," Hook said. "It was fun seeing the professors get a little competitive too."
Shortz said after the show that while he loves "any kind of puzzle -- logic, word, Sudoku," at the end of the day, it's about more than that. "I think the thing I love most about puzzles is the people that I come into contact with through them," he said. "They're interesting, intelligent, well-rounded, lively people with flexible minds."
Still, one cannot deny Shortz's love of linguistics and words. When asked what his favorite word was, his face lit up.
"Glad you asked that," he said. "My favorite word is ucalegon. It's a neighbor whose house is on fire," he replied, before adding with a smile, "It's hard to work that into conversations."
Shortz's enthusiasm for puzzles and his passion for what he does came through in his talk. When asked afterwards what advice he would give to students at the University, he reiterated this point.
"Figure out what you love in life the most and do your best to do it," he said. "Life is too short to do something that you don't love"
Read More
The naked party uncovered
By Mia Tan | 1 hours agoThe naked party, founded by fourth-year Architecture student Wells Woolcott, is the first of its kind at the University in recent memory.
A second chance to dress for graduation
By Julianne Saunders | YesterdayI have learned to see my college graduation not as a way to make up for the past but as an event worth celebrating on its own.
How study abroad taught me to stop studying
By Grace Scott | May 10, 2024Turns out, it took attending one of the most prestigious universities in the world for me to realize there's more to life than studying.
