2008 Woodie Awards
Kelly Durkin
Copy Desk Chief
by Kelly Durkin
Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Senior Goodbyes
This senior goodbye is pretty much the last time I will get to write anything that's published in The Review. And like in so many classes and meetings, I feel like I have nothing really groundbreaking to say.
I can say, though, that I never thought I'd be writing for any publication. I came into the university as a biological sciences major with the goal of becoming an epidemiologist and traveling the world chasing diseases and doing big things. In the spring of my freshman year, I sadly realized that reaching that goal meant taking classes that involved plant biology and other incredibly dreary courses that I just couldn't stand. A self-evaluation revealed that all I really wanted to do was study English and write, and further research proved that journalism was the most likely way for me to make a living. It wouldn't be much, I realized, but maybe, just maybe, if I saved enough and worked hard I could buy some cardboard end tables to furnish the box I'd be calling home.
So here I am. Not in a cardboard box (yet), but I'm getting there. Graduating in three years is hard, and it's even harder to try and get experience when you change your major after a year and a half, let alone work for a place like The Review when many of the talented people here have written and worked for the paper since their freshman year.
Of course, a complete list of people to thank would be endless, but I have to thank Wes Case and Sarah Lipman for hiring me as a copy editor back in the fall. Sarah also assigned me my first story in print, and I thank her for that as well.
I also must say a belated thank you to Sarah Kenney for being a difficult, critical editor in the best possible way. You told me flat-out when my stories needed work and you didn't let me get away with writing half-assed stories.
And, as awkward as this sounds, thank you Lauren DeZinno. In a roundabout way, you enabled me to become Copy Desk Chief. I wish you great success in law school.
I can say, though, that I never thought I'd be writing for any publication. I came into the university as a biological sciences major with the goal of becoming an epidemiologist and traveling the world chasing diseases and doing big things. In the spring of my freshman year, I sadly realized that reaching that goal meant taking classes that involved plant biology and other incredibly dreary courses that I just couldn't stand. A self-evaluation revealed that all I really wanted to do was study English and write, and further research proved that journalism was the most likely way for me to make a living. It wouldn't be much, I realized, but maybe, just maybe, if I saved enough and worked hard I could buy some cardboard end tables to furnish the box I'd be calling home.
So here I am. Not in a cardboard box (yet), but I'm getting there. Graduating in three years is hard, and it's even harder to try and get experience when you change your major after a year and a half, let alone work for a place like The Review when many of the talented people here have written and worked for the paper since their freshman year.
Of course, a complete list of people to thank would be endless, but I have to thank Wes Case and Sarah Lipman for hiring me as a copy editor back in the fall. Sarah also assigned me my first story in print, and I thank her for that as well.
I also must say a belated thank you to Sarah Kenney for being a difficult, critical editor in the best possible way. You told me flat-out when my stories needed work and you didn't let me get away with writing half-assed stories.
And, as awkward as this sounds, thank you Lauren DeZinno. In a roundabout way, you enabled me to become Copy Desk Chief. I wish you great success in law school.
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