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Andy Karr, behind the senior
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 Andy
Karr (submitted photo)
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By Sabrina Adkins-Schuck
UW-Eau Claire Journalism
Seminar Student
Wednesday, May 15, 2002
Most people celebrate their college graduation enthusiastically, but at the
same time are sad because of the people and things they leave behind. Andy
Karr is no different.
Karr, a fifth-year senior at UW-Eau Claire, will graduate in May 2002 with a
bachelor’s degree in print journalism and a minor in English. He said he will
miss the social aspect of college the most, as well as spending happy hour at
the Joynt with friends. Karr said he likes the Joynt because the beer is so
cheap and because it is the biggest hang out for the Spectator staff, at
least for those who are of age.
“I hope to get an appraisal of all skills, and hope I know everything,” Karr
said about his print journalism capstone course. “This is my last chance to
assess myself before getting a job.” Karr said he wants to know what his
weaknesses are so that he can improve in those areas, particularly in writing
and reporting.
Karr has always been interested in journalism, and started writing on his
high school newspaper in North St. Paul, Minn. He interned at the
Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire, during the summer and fall 2000 when he took a
semester off of school.
He hopes to get a job working on a daily newspaper in the Midwest, because he
grew up here and he is comfortable. “It’s a natural place to start.” He also
thinks that the Midwest is known for nicer, friendlier people that are quick
to talk to strangers. He remembers standing in line at McDonald’s and the man
in front of him turned around and started a conversation with him over his
allergies to pickles. People in the Midwest aren’t afraid to talk to each
other even if they have never met before.
He would like to work at the Cedar Rapids Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
because he likes the paper and also because his girlfriend lives there. Karr
said he liked the Cedar Rapids Gazette because when he talked to one of the
editors she said that they wanted to get some younger people in there because
their newsroom was aging, and perhaps more eager to give a newly graduated
college student a chance.
In the long term, Karr’s goals are to work at either the Star Tribune or the
Pioneer Press in the Twin Cities.
Karr is a sports enthusiast, and his favorite sport is football. He said that
he has loved football since he was a little kid and watching the Minnesota
Vikings with his dad. As well as following his dad to fantasy football and
helping him pick out teams.
He also loves running, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. “I love
going to live music shows even if I don’t know the band,” Karr said, “It’s
nice to discover new music.” He recently went to see the Atomic Punks, a Van
Halen tribute band, at a bar in Andover, Minn., and he said that the band
members looked just like David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen. This semester he
hopes to participate in the second season of intramural basketball and
volleyball.
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