In 1975 I was bored. It was difficult to stay awake during Professor Pope's lecture on U.S. Western Expansionism. Gallons of java from "The Underground" did not help. It seemed the only exercise that I was interested in was illustrating, and I had no formal art training.
So, I presented my portfolio of drawings to Bob Budiansky, the Graphics Editor of The Spectrum at the time. Bob said that I had zero talent, but to keep trying.
Although I partly agreed with his assessment, he was kind of rough on me—which propelled me to work even harder. And I did.
Two years later, I was the graphics editor of The Spectrum thanks to my professor Don Nichols, Tom Lincoln (editor of Ethos Magazine), and the visionary student editors Brett Kline and Jay Rosen. They could see talent in development, and I appreciated that. I have to admit that the "Steve Stagnation alias Clint Coolberg" series I authored in Ethos was kind of juvenile. However, it sure was fun creating a retro-'60s drug-culture cartoon.
I learned so much about creating a newspaper during those years. The late nights listening to WBUF, working with Pam Jensen and the photo crew developing pictures at midnight. I even learned about the business side of selling ad space, which has helped me get where I am today: vice-president, associate creative director at a large pharmaceutical/health care advertising agency in New York City. Now I can apply my business and creative talents together in one career.
The Spectrum: Thanks for everything.
Email: alumni@ubspectrum.com
