On Illumination

Written by Ryan Mulrooney

Photography by Noah Laroia-Nguyen

There is nothing more deceptive than light. It shimmers and shines, yet fleets and into the cracks of walls it reclines. As much as one wants to reach out and hold the light in their hands — to feel its warmth and illuminate their world — it appears impossible. Here at Illumination: the Undergraduate Journal of Humanities, some look at the problem differently. “Personally, I think I’m good at changing light bulbs in dark rooms,” says Sandra Knisely Barnidge. Sandra, a former Editor-in-Chief of this publication (2008-2009), demonstrates that we don’t have to learn to hold the light; rather, Illumination can provide the light in shadowy, marginalized, or empty spaces on campus and beyond, and it is a lesson every Illumination Journal Editor-in-Chief as proven true during their tenure.This fall will be the release of the 25th edition of Illumination. I, Ryan Mulrooney, am privileged to serve as the new Editor-in-Chief of Illumination for this milestone; however, as a new leader, I still have to use a ladder to change the light bulbs. In an effort to extend my reach, I have looked to former Editor-in-Chiefs of this publication to not only inform my work, but also to see how they have continued to be an illuminating presence in their lives.Many of our publication’s leaders have continued to serve as active members in social and artistic communities. Where exactly are they now? Stephanie Krubsack (2007-2008) works in the marketing and creative industry, with a focus on travel, food, and wellness. Kate Neuens (2009-2010) uses her marketing, legal, and digital presence experiences in Chicago. Brittany Brama (2011-2012) works as a sustainability consultant to inform the public and stakeholders. Benjamin Blackman (2013-2014) is currently working on his PhD at University of California-Davis where he studies English, focusing on Romanticism and science fiction. Emmett Mottl (2015-2016) is a project coordinator for the Chicago Humanities Festival.  Sandra Knisely Barnidge works as a freelance writer and editor, and also just started her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Alabama.  Fernanda Martinez Rodriguez (2017-2018) is finishing her degree at UW-Madison and serving as the Director of the Publications Committee. Advancing to these impressive positions required plenty of hard work and determination. Expressing and practicing their creative and leadership talents with Illumination was a stepping stone to where they are today.Illumination and the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Publications Committee allows to students to “create their own opportunities, stretch our creative muscles and reach for the stars,” says Brittany Brama. In that attempt to reach the golden, twinkling light, however, all former Editor-in-Chiefs had to overcome some challenges and obstacles. The majority of the former leaders had to learn how to prioritize tasks and collaborate with a large staff, which prepared them for “life after college” and “the real world.” Fernanda Martinez Rodriguez believes the challenge of picking a staff team that is completely invested is what made her tenure successful. Ben Blackman discusses how he had to learn that “people cannot read your mind.” He goes on to mention that, because the Editor-in-Chief’s vision heavily influences the final product, “the whole process runs better when you can explain the reasons behind your decision and explicate your vision” to staff members. It is once again a great example of how Illumination provides a light.Similar to how leading the Illumination team sheds daylight on an Editor-in-Chief’s own weaknesses, strengths, and the very work the publication selects to print, it is the mere twinkles provided by working for the publication that make the experiences so invaluable. Stephanie Krubsack remembers working on the final steps of the print edition “via a projector screen after hours in the library over boxes and boxes of Ian's Pizza,” and the leftovers were donated to those in need on the walk home. Fernanda Martinez Rodriguez loved the intimate interactions she had with her Editors, where she got to know their “taste in art, jokes and coffee.” Many of the others remember the fondness and gratitude of print edition release parties, whether at an art gallery or cozy restaurant, where all the creatives and their families were proud of themselves as well as one another. Perhaps my favorite, the one that really puts a twinkle in my eye, is a response from Kate Neuens: “After I graduated, my father took all the copies of the journal where I had an editorial role and framed them. I have moved eight times since graduation, and I have taken the time to hang the journals in every apartment I lived in.” Wherever you go, Illumination’s light can never disappear.So what do readers take away? What do I, as an Editor-in-Chief, learn from these conversations and reflections? Being a leader of Illumination requires more than just changing light bulbs in dark rooms. It requires energy, whiteboard brainstorms and blue-line printer checks, believing in yourself and those around you, and interacting with creative works on campus that can change the way we think about ourselves and the wider world. As past Editor-in-Chiefs have proven, if you allow yourself to be fully dedicated — including being dedicated to facing challenges — you can be flooded with a light powered by social and creative opportunities and movements. This light is one that Illumination makes visible with each and every issue, and I can only hope for the next twenty-five editions to do the same.