Before I left for Seattle, I was on assignment shooting a portrait before the Twins game. I decided to stick around for the game, although I was only carrying a kit lens and a 50mm. I did the best with what I had, but I didn’t want to pass the chance to be so close! I think the black and white makes it look rather classic, and since I wasn’t shooting the action, the intermittent moments is what I wanted to get.

Geography professor John Fraser Hart, 91, has been teaching Social Sciences at the University for 48 years and retired in the Spring.The World War II veteran traveled the world studying geography and taking pictures, much of which were used as slides during his lectures. Hart’s style of teaching is considered traditional, but in a time of developing technology and hopes to attract younger scientists, his methods have phased out.

When professor Hart turned 70 in 1994, a law that required retirement at his age was repealed. Hart said after that, he and his same-age colleagues didn’t leave the school because they were no longer forced to.

“I stuck around because I could,” he said.

Last year, the average retirement age at the Twin Cities campus was 69.

Fast Eddies, Dinkytown, Minn.

My time at the Daily has come to a close. While I graduated in December, I was able to stick around for another semester and now it’s officially over. 

I’m in a reflecting mood so let me ramble. The other week, I went through a stack of past Daily’s reflecting on this story and that picture. I can’t believe how far I’ve come from enjoying my first dslr camera in high school to making a career out of it. Now, I can’t see myself doing anything else. 

I remember when I worked on my first story at the Capitol, only two and half years ago. I was so nervous that I forgot my memory card in the car and had to run half a mile back to the car to get it.

My first piece of advice I got when I started was, “don’t mess up.” I realized how much truth came from that in my first couple of months. The learning curve was fast, and I was challenged more than I ever was before. I have to admit, the Daily was harder than college, but I’m more prepared for a job than college could ever have done for me. 

The other week when my family was in town, one of my family members asked me, ” if you could do anything as a job, what would it be?” 
“Uhh well taking pictures…”
“No I mean anything. Are you doing the job you’ve always wanted to do?”

I’m not trying to sound cliche, but yes, I am. I can’t imagine doing any job without a camera. I’ve been privileged to work and be surrounded by people that pushed me to be better. I’ve also been privileged to return the favor and teach people how to use their first dslr camera. My job gives back and I wouldn’t change my career path no matter how many people tell me there are no jobs out there! So here’s to the Daily, and all the people who were with me along the way. Cheers.

Spring Jam, where people go to get drunk….er I mean have fun. Well, both. 

Here are some outtakes from the festivities. This was my last time shooting a concert at the University, so I had to go out with a little fun too.