Andy Smith

Hometown: New Martinsville, W.Va.
Status: Senior
Major: News Editorial
Role: Student Journalist/Multimedia Trainer

Q: How did you get involved with the project?
A: John Temple emailed me last December, explaining the idea and asking if I was in any way interested. I was immediately taken with the idea, as I have a deep admiration for both the state I call “home” and multimedia journalism.

Q: Where do you hope to go after graduation and where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Of course, the ideal situation would be to write, photograph and build multimedia in any professional venue. I’m attracted to urban areas, so I would hope that 5 years would bring congested walkways, heavy traffic and the ability to freelance for a comic book-based publication aside from wherever else I was employed.

Q: What work experience do you have?
A: I have spent the last couple years at The Daily Athenaeum, first as Design Editor and A&E Staff Writer, then as its A&E Editor to this day. My internships consist of the Frank T. Spicer internship for the West Virginia Press Association, and I am currently an intern for the London-based newspaper “The Irish World.” I have also been a staff “Dream Team” member for the School of Journalism, reporting and photographing anything from an on-site view of the aftermath of the Virginia Tech Massacre to the several exciting events and changes surrounding the school itself. For the last couple years I have written articles and taken photographs for the SOJ Alumni Magazine.

Q: What are your favorite websites?
A: Superherohype.com, CNN.com and cuteoverload.com – a site that specializes in animal photography.

Q: What’s your favorite quote?
A: Matthew 28:19

Fun Fact:
A: I have a deep fascination with dinosaurs. Jurassic Park was my favorite movie as a kid.