Student Spotlight: Andy Gasper

Meet Andy Gasper; the 22 year-old Electronic Media student from Kent, Ohio. Andy reminisces about the old days: “I was not a jock, I just played sports.”  Sports in every season to be exact: basketball, soccer, and track. Andy remarks that there is some kind of law against being so tall (6 feet 5 inches) and not playing sports.

Some quirky facts about Andy are he has a small carbon footprint, his favorite book is George Orwell’s 1984, and his favorite state is Ohio.  His carbon footprint is making a difference in the world today, 1984 was the first book he read for fun, and Ohio is for lovers! Andy loves Ohio because his family and friends are here; they motivate and inspire him and his work.

Andy came to UC intending to become an Electronic Media student.  Due to a complicated application process (which has been adapted) he originally declared his major Physics.  At freshman orientation Andy signed up for as many E-media classes as possible…and no physics courses. After two quarters Andy applied for his transfer to E-Media.

Andy talks passionately about Electronic Media, but still believes “you only get what you put in”. He works closely with professors and adjuncts in the production office and also spent three months in Munich, Germany studying abroad.  The study abroad experience involved a mix of taking classes, learning culture, traveling and an internship.

Andy and fellow Electronic Media student Dave Berninger interned together at Norcom in Munich.  Norcom is a media technology company that had just developed new broadcast software.  Andy and Dave’s job was to “Americanize” the software NC Power Pro and make it easily adaptable to the western world.

When they returned home, Norcom asked them to represent NC Power at the Streaming Media West Convention in San Jose, California. With all expenses paid, Dave and Andy gladly accepted. At the convention they spent some of their time talking up the University of Cincinnati and the Electronic Media program.

As for his career path and his future, Andy’s main goal is “to get paid to entertain people.”  His dream job is a comedian, entertainer, or in some sort of production. These dream jobs can go hand in hand with big cities; when asked where he saw his future, Andy smiled, “I’ll go where the gig is.”  Andy has visited Los Angeles a couple of times and admits to not liking atmosphere, but loves the feeling of New York City.  Maybe one day we will see “ANDY GASPER” in big lights in the Big City.

Written by Ashley Morgan, 12/08.