Sign off
It really feels kind of pretentious signing off my section like I was some hugely influential person, but I do feel a lot of pride for running the Spectrum section this semester. I came to the CT before my classes at VCU even began during Welcome Week my freshman year. I approached the executive editor at the time, Cyrus Nuval, who gave me my first assignment covering convocation.
I spent a semester writing stories for the news and Spectrum sections, then was miraculously promoted to a staff writing position in the spring. I really loved the arts scene at VCU though, and editor emerita Taylor Thornburg decided I could carry the torch after her and passed down her position as Spectrum editor.
It’s been a wild ride. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices, but met a lot of incredible people in the process. Nothing in my life has been more enlightening than my time spent at the CT, and the hundreds of hours I’ve put in are worth their weight in gold to me. Only through the incredible support provided to me by my friends here at the paper and my girlfriend, Emily, have I been able to juggle my many commitments.
Despite turmoil in my personal life and the challenges of being a full-time student, I’m incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to run this section and capture the best of Richmond’s cultural events and counterculture scene.
This campus and city are filled with the most interesting people I’ve ever met, and I’ve fallen in love with the River City in my time here.
I’d like to give a huge thanks to some of the graduating seniors this semester.
Shannon: thank you for making the paper gorgeous with your humorous, stylish and impactful illustrations. Miranda: You’ve helped transform this paper into one of the most beautiful publications I’ve ever looked at. Bryant: thanks for always getting on me and making me weak at 9 a.m. on the many Saturdays we had to be in the office. Brooke, Erin, Monica, Margaret, Christine, Muktaru and Sam: you all have been invaluable in making this paper happen, and I can’t wait to see your accomplishments in the coming years.
Another thank you to Sarah King, who’s kept all of these crazy 20-somethings from burning down the Student Media Center when we’re cooped up in this windowless room for 30 hours every weekend.
I’m excited to put both feet into the shoes of managing editor next semester, and to continue this college career of journalism even further. I’m leaving Spectrum in good hands with Jesse, and all of the section’s readers should expect Spectrum to only grow further upon my departure.
Best,
Austin Walker
Spectrum Editor, Austin Walker
Austin is a sophomore print journalism major. He started at the CT as a contributing writer, and frequently covers work done by artists and performers both on and off campus. He hopes to one day be a columnist writing about art that impacts culture, politics and documenting the lives of extraordinary and everyday people. // Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
