It’s time for a new chapter in my life, it would seem. Last night I accepted a Senior Designer position working for The World Company in Lawrence, KS.
Many of you probably know of World Online’s work. They are responsible for several sites that have won bunches of awards and gotten a lot of accolades in the journalism industry, including LJWorld.com (home of the Lawrence Journal-World, local newspaper), Lawrence.com (a community site with associated print publication that features info on Lawrence’s nightlife and music scene, podcasts, blogs, and more), and KUSports.com (sports news site for all things Jawhawk). You may also be familiar with a sweet little framework they’ve built and open-sourced, name of Django.
And if you don’t know of any of that, there’s a good chance you’re familiar some of the brilliant people that either work or have worked for them — such as Wilson Miner, Jacob Kaplan-Moss, Adrian Holovaty, and Simon Willison.
The World Online team really is one of the most forward-thinking and innovative web groups anywhere, and I couldn’t possibly be more stoked about working with them. And the city of Lawrence, KS may be one of the hippest places in America (yes, I’m serious). Lawrence in the one place in this state that basically turns every stereotype you’ve heard about Kansas on it’s head. It’s got an incredibly happenin’ downtown filled with shops, bars, loft-style apartments, street musicians, and one of the hottest local music scenes in the country. It’s got most of the creature comforts of suburbia, all of the vibe of a college town, and is about 30 minutes from Kansas City. I have a number of good friends in Lawrence. It’s also much closer to my daughter and the rest of my family, so I’m really happy about that.
Of course, this all means I’ll be leaving my job at Kansas State University and the town of Manhattan. I’ll miss both quite a lot. I’ve been extremely happy here at K-State, and never really considered leaving. If World Online hadn’t contacted me, I’d probably have been here for years. I’ve worked with some of the nicest people I know, had the best boss I’ve ever had, enjoyed one of the most comfortable work environments imaginable, worked on some fun projects, and just generally had a great time. There are a lot of people that I’ll miss immensely here at K-State. Neil, Janelle, Nancy, Rich, Yuan, Harvard, Aimee, Jessa, Brent, Shawn, Shaun — there are more, I’m sure. It was great working with all of you. For you designers/developers out there: keep your eyes open on this site for info about my position when it officially becomes open. It’s a great job for someone, and it will make me feel better if I know someone great takes it over.
Manhattan, KS, is a fun little town. Aggieville will always hold a special little place in my heart, I think, after the (way too) many crazy nights there. There are several people in this town I’ll miss. The big ones, of course, are Becky, Jeremiah, and Mary (I’ll miss Jesse a ton, too — but she’s already gone). The good news is that I won’t be that far away from them and I know we’ll keep in touch.
This new step for me is somewhat sobering, a bit stress-inducing (trying to break a lease, finish up a bunch of stuff for K-State, find a new place, take two vacations, and move in a month scares me), and sort-of depressing, too (it’s hard to walk away from a very good situation).
But, more than anything, I’m just incredibly excited to work every day with such an innovative group of guys on some really kick-ass websites and to live in Lawrence — which is really where I’ve wanted to live for the past several years.
I can’t wait.
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Links in this entry
- The Django Project
- LJWorld.com
- Lawrence.com
- KUSports.com
- Django
- Wilson Miner
- Jacob Kaplan-Moss
- Adrian Holovaty
- Simon Willison
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001 // Andy Hume // 12.16.2005 // 3:08 PM
Fantastic news Jeff! I’m really pleased for you. Best of luck with the move and the new job. Exciting times, huh?
002 // Erik Ankrom // 12.16.2005 // 4:20 PM
Congratulations Jeff! I have always admired the work of World Online, and especially the Django project. It’s too bad you are leaving K-State, I think you were a great addition to the K-State team!
Good luck with your new job, I’m sure you will fit in great!
003 // feaverish // 12.16.2005 // 4:33 PM
Congratulations!
004 // dru // 12.16.2005 // 4:48 PM
Congrats on the move! I have enjoyed their work as well and look forward to seeing what you will bring to the team!
dru
005 // Jeff Smith // 12.16.2005 // 4:57 PM
Congrats Jeff. I’m extremely jealous of you. World Online does some incredible work. Being able to work with a framework like Django every day will be a great bonus of the job as well.
006 // Wilson // 12.16.2005 // 5:37 PM
Man, congratulations. I’ve told you and everybody within shouting distance already how excited I am to have you coming to work with us in Lawrence, and I’ll say it again for posterity. I can’t wait.
007 // Michelle // 12.16.2005 // 5:51 PM
I know I’ve said this before but I am SO happy for you! I know you will do great things with World Online. Congratulations!
008 // Nathan Smith // 12.16.2005 // 6:10 PM
Wow, congrats. This makes me glad I had already closed the KSU door when you guys called, since I wouldn’t have been able to work with the mighty Jeff Croft for very long anyways. Let’s see those workspace photos once you get your new office set up!
009 // James // 12.16.2005 // 10:17 PM
You worked with me too, asshole. :-)
But really, congratulations.
010 // Jennifer // 12.17.2005 // 9:01 AM
Jeff- Congrats! I’m shocked you took the job- I know you are really happy in Manhattan. I’m really excited for you, sounds like a great opportunity. Let us know when you need help with the move.
011 // Brent O'Connor // 12.17.2005 // 10:50 AM
Congratulations again! I’m happy for you and I think it will be a good fit for you.
012 // Ryan Berg // 12.17.2005 // 1:20 PM
You know, I’ve never really been a fan of the Larrytown, Larryville references for Lawrence. Aside from that minor detail, welcome to town. World Online is in the heart of a great place to live, eat, shop, drink, rinse, and repeat.
013 // Jeff Croft // 12.17.2005 // 4 PM
You know, I’ve never really been a fan of the Larrytown, Larryville references for Lawrence.
Okay, but you have to admit it made for a clever entry title! :)
014 // Sean Sperte // 12.17.2005 // 4:46 PM
Change is never easy, but this seems like this’ll do nicely for you. Congratulations.
015 // Ryan Berg // 12.17.2005 // 5:27 PM
Okay, but you have to admit it made for a clever entry title! :) I guess I can let you off with a warning this time. Just don’t let it happen again ;)
016 // Matthew Croft // 12.17.2005 // 8:37 PM
Congratulations Jeff, I wish you the best. However, I am offeneded that I didn’t make the “miss in Manhattan” list.
017 // Brian Ford // 12.17.2005 // 11:29 PM
Well, you see Matt… in order to have made the list… he would had to have “missed” the person.
;)
018 // Maryrenee Smith // 12.19.2005 // 4:17 PM
I feel a going away party coming on.
019 // Keith // 12.20.2005 // 12:46 PM
Great news! Sounds like a great move for you and should be a whole lot of fun. Best of luck man.
020 // Sean Tevis // 12.21.2005 // 4:43 PM
Wow. Good job. If only the big newspaper chains could produce online presences so clean and useful. Good luck in Lawrence.
021 // Michael Murphy // 12.21.2005 // 8:08 PM
Hey Jeff, congratulations on the new job. I switched jobs recently and I must say, although stressful sometimes, a little changeup now and again is a good thing. Best of luck!
022 // Thomas // 12.22.2005 // 9:16 AM
Very happy to hear about the new challenge. In know the people in Manhatten will be losing a great person and web developer, but I’m VERY happy for the folks in Jayhawkville (hate “Larryville” too) that you’ll be working with them.
I’ve been a big fan of World team’s work - they do a great job of keeping this KU alum informed so far away from home. Hey, any other web/designer job openings around Lawerence - man, I’d love to move back there!
Once again, hope all goes well with the transition!
023 // Kristofer Baxter // 12.22.2005 // 3:32 PM
Congrats Jeff.
I’m sure us Lawrence people will welcome you with open arms.
024 // .sara // 12.22.2005 // 7:19 PM
Sweet! Congratulations, Jeff. :D
025 // Rob Mientjes // 12.25.2005 // 5:41 PM
Ouch, late to the game here. Well, in any case, best of luck. Sounds very exciting.
Keep me updated on all related bits, of course ;)
026 // Nick Prather // 07.13.2008 // 7:25 PM
Welcome to Lawrence, Kansas.
www.kansasbargainautos.com