Name: Jack Whitaker
Year: Senior
Major: English
Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Relationship Status: Single
What is the most rewarding part about being an editor for the Minaret?
We’re lucky at the Minaret to have such a cool group of editors and writers. The most rewarding aspect definitely centers around the people who work there and our responsibility to deliver a strong paper every week.
How do you manage to juggle ROTC, school, and the paper?:
A big backpack! The paper is a massive time consumer, but ROTC and school have a very symbiotic relationship. By having to wake up at 5:30 every morning it really helps to enforce routines, such as studying and supporting an active lifestyle.
What quote do you live by?
“An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools”
Ernest Hemingway
Three things you have learned since starting school:
1.If you’re low on bucks, prioritize: books and beer.
2.Being active within different groups is important; meet different types of people.
3.Go on road trips with your pals. Road trips turn pals into best pals.
What is one change you wish to see in the world?
More reading. If everyone read a book every once in a while I think a lot of the issues we’re having would solve themselves. For me, books and the interactions between characters within them helped support what my parents were teaching me and in many cases, added to their tutelage. The overall understanding of cultures would enhance tenfold if everyone was reading literature from different cultures…you don’t need an airplane to see the world, just a good book.
What is the strangest thing you’ve witnessed since moving to Tampa?
Freshman year I accidentally came across two people having sex in Plant Park…at the time, I thought it was pretty strange. Probably wouldn’t think too much of it now.
Go-to karaoke song:
Mr. Jones
By Counting Crows
Favorite pick-up line:
Do we know each other…I’m sure we’ve met…
Describe your ideal girl:
I’m not sure I have an “ideal girl…” A few things I enjoy are trying new things, camping, having a couple drinks, reading, listening to music, and being outdoors. If she’s into any of that I’m sure we’ll get along pretty well.
Most embarrassing hook-up story:
Haha, I’m going with a pass on this one.
Biggest pet peeves:
People who walk slow on sidewalks. Groups of people that create “walking walls” on sidewalks. Sidewalks that are separated by roads, like Boulevard.
Something no one knew about you, until now:
I’ve got a little turtle at home whom I’ve had since elementary school. I’m not very excited about leaving UT, but at least Junior will get to move into my next home with me.
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
Five years from now I’ll probably still be a First Lieutenant, but beginning to think about pinning Captain. Hopefully I’ll be stationed somewhere desirable like Germany or Hawaii and hopefully my military career will be going well. I’m not sure about anything else, I’ll let the details fall into place.