2008 Woodie Awards
From the editor
Nick Przybyciel
Issue date: 9/15/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 2 next >
No more anticipation, no more confusion, and no more debate. The freshmen are here in the flesh, and personally, I couldn't be more excited.
Some of us non-traditional students have expressed horror at sharing space with a group of students with an average age -- 18.34 -- as some of our own kids. We have a certain synergy going, and we'll be darned if a demographic will mess all that up.
But I have a little story to share with you that may change your perception. It's the story of Lukas.
Lukas is a freshman, and he's my new hero.
Originally, I had secret plans for him that I hid from the rest of the Ledger staff. I desperately wanted to recruit freshmen, but not for the benevolent reasons I often stated.
Sure it had a bit to do with getting someone on staff with youthful panache and a fresh mindset. And yes, it had to do with creating continuity with the newspaper by weaning the next generation of editors. And of course it had to do with making the frosh feel welcome and involved with campus life.
But, there was something else. Something less altruistic.
I wanted someone to brew the crew coffee when it's 2 a.m. and we have been in the office for 14 hours trying to make deadline. I wanted someone who could go on sandwich runs before meetings. And, more than anything, I wanted someone to throw an AP Stylebook at when I am grumpy.
None of the current staff would tolerate that kind of childish behavior. I really don't expect the freshmen too, either. But, in my delusions, a young staffer would be my own personal rookie, like the dude in the movie, "Super Troopers."
When Lukas contacted us about getting involved with the paper, I was giddy with joy. The Ledger would get someone to help with layout, and I would get a gofer.
And then I saw his work. With the very first design element he completed for us, I reluctantly realized that this guy doesn't need to pay his dues. He has my respect.
Before Lukas came into our office for the first time, the staff was wracking our respective brains redesigning the paper. Not only is UWT turning a new corner in its history this year with the freshman class, but the Ledger is turning 10, as well. It seemed only natural to tear the paper apart and rebuild it from scratch. We made a ton of progress, but couldn't seem to nail down the trickiest and most critical element of newspaper design -- the front page flag.
Some of us non-traditional students have expressed horror at sharing space with a group of students with an average age -- 18.34 -- as some of our own kids. We have a certain synergy going, and we'll be darned if a demographic will mess all that up.
But I have a little story to share with you that may change your perception. It's the story of Lukas.
Lukas is a freshman, and he's my new hero.
Originally, I had secret plans for him that I hid from the rest of the Ledger staff. I desperately wanted to recruit freshmen, but not for the benevolent reasons I often stated.
Sure it had a bit to do with getting someone on staff with youthful panache and a fresh mindset. And yes, it had to do with creating continuity with the newspaper by weaning the next generation of editors. And of course it had to do with making the frosh feel welcome and involved with campus life.
But, there was something else. Something less altruistic.
I wanted someone to brew the crew coffee when it's 2 a.m. and we have been in the office for 14 hours trying to make deadline. I wanted someone who could go on sandwich runs before meetings. And, more than anything, I wanted someone to throw an AP Stylebook at when I am grumpy.
None of the current staff would tolerate that kind of childish behavior. I really don't expect the freshmen too, either. But, in my delusions, a young staffer would be my own personal rookie, like the dude in the movie, "Super Troopers."
When Lukas contacted us about getting involved with the paper, I was giddy with joy. The Ledger would get someone to help with layout, and I would get a gofer.
And then I saw his work. With the very first design element he completed for us, I reluctantly realized that this guy doesn't need to pay his dues. He has my respect.
Before Lukas came into our office for the first time, the staff was wracking our respective brains redesigning the paper. Not only is UWT turning a new corner in its history this year with the freshman class, but the Ledger is turning 10, as well. It seemed only natural to tear the paper apart and rebuild it from scratch. We made a ton of progress, but couldn't seem to nail down the trickiest and most critical element of newspaper design -- the front page flag.
Be the first to comment on this story