“You’re writing a ‘farewell’ article, right?” Alex (the Editor In-Chief of The Minaret) asked me Tuesday night at about 5 p.m. This is about the time we like our articles to be turned in for editing.
Here I am, six-and-a-half hours of copyediting later, with a chance to talk about my time at UT before the community.
I’m not a journalist. In fact, this is the first time I’ve written for a newspaper. I’m a copyeditor for The Minaret, which means (theoretically) that I know how to spot mistakes.
It’s easy to point out other people’s errors — a lot harder to come up with something to say.
I’m also one of UT’s creative writers, an English major and a philosophy minor, which means I’d better know how to say things by now.
I guess I’ll start with the obvious: I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities UT has provided me.
Aside from working for The Minaret for the last few years, I’ve worked for Quilt and the Tampa Press, which have served as practical supplements to my majors. The nature of this school is such that students are provided the opportunity to gain this kind of experience (and get paid for it) and, due to the small class sizes, such that students are able to actually get to know their professors. These opportunities have no price tag.
Thank you, Dr. Matthews and Sean Donnelly, for suffering my employment as long as you did.
It was truly rewarding and, I hope, not the only opportunity I’ll have to work in a letterpress studio and learn the finer details of the publication industry.
Derrick, you have become such an interesting person, and have always, since I’ve known you, been an amazing poet. It has been nothing short of an adventure working alongside you.
I know you can only do well in the future.
I have Dr. Colombe to thank for the opportunity and encouragement to work for Quilt.
Her dedication to students is inspiring. I’m sure that Dr. Dawson and her unstoppable energy will be an equally suitable fit for Quilt. Mikey, thanks for taking the reins.
I know you’ll take good care of our brainchild.
Thank you, Minaret staff, for putting up with my late-night moods with such grace, and for the opportunity to work with such an animated and talented bunch. It’s been a great time.
Dr. Tillman asked me the other day how I felt about leaving the University.
It took me a moment to respond, but I realized at that moment that I’m really going to miss this place, regardless of how speedily I manage to get to my car once class is dismissed.
What I’ve experienced here is a certain kind of family — a slightly dysfunctional one at times, perhaps, but that’s the most interesting kind.
I know that my classmates are here for me if I need them (as I certainly have — this semester especially), as are my professors.
My creative writing, English and philosophy professors have gone above and beyond, as it were, the call of duty, and become a system of support and encouragement, for which I cannot express enough gratitude.
I know that I will carry their lessons with me throughout my life and am comforted by the knowledge that many of them will remain as friends.
The creative writing department has seen so much change in the last few years.
The students have surely felt the absence of the professors we love. Dr. Sylvester, especially, due to a sincere love of poetry, has been a constant source of encouragement for many, myself included.
I know that her influence is being felt in many ways in the department, and I know that she can’t help but continue to create opportunities for writers.
My hope for the future of UT is that the organizations I have been fortunate to be a part of will continue to thrive and grow, that a stronger bond between the departments will form, and that its professors will continue to be the kind of people this world needs: people who care for one another, who inspire change through their passion for their craft and for learning and who lead with honesty and respect.
This kind of example is perhaps the most influential kind of education.
Laura Theobald can be reached at ltheobald@spartans.ut.edu.
You misspelled “reigns”…