If you see Tony Poulson around campus, ask him who the 2004 college cartoonist of the year was. He will tell you with a big smile and all the confidence in the world that he was.
Poulson, who started the Chrony Comics this semester, recently won the Studentaffairs.com 2004 College Cartoonist of the year contest.
Each student participating entered two cartoons within the theme of “Campus life and technology” along with a biography. Among entries from college students all over the nation, the judges declared Poulson’s cartoons the best.
Winning such a contest might seem like a long shot to most of us, but Poulson is not like most of us.
“I knew I was going to win. If I do something, if I’m entering it, I will win,” Poulson said.
Although Poulson may seem arrogant, his confidence is well-founded. Days before he submitted his entry in December, Poulson did his homework.
“I went back two or three years and judged my competition,” he said.
Having a feel for what the judges would be looking for, coupled with a high level of self-assurance and three years of experience drawing for The Daily Utah Chronicle, Poulson felt confident he would win the contest.
Even though Poulson claims he knew he would win, he still felt a great sense of satisfaction when it was made official.
“I was excited. I was stoked as hell. It just feels good when they send you that e-mail saying you’re in the top three,” he said.
Looking back, Poulson recounted how he almost missed the entry deadline. “Being the artist that I am, I procrastinated up until the last day….Looking at it in hind sight, I should have kicked myself.”
When he submitted his entry via e-mail just before the deadline, it was rejected because of a high volume of
e-mails. Poulson sent another e-mail the next day, explaining the situation. Studentaffairs.com decided to accept what would become the winning entry.
Poulson started working with The Chronicle three years ago as a freshman, when a classmate suggested it. “I had some stuff on my binder in class. Some kid said, ‘Hey, they are hiring an editorial cartoonist for the Chrony.’ So, I got my portfolio together and told them I was there next artist.” He has been drawing for The Chronicle in some capacity ever since.
Poulson’s dad gives him a great sense of support along with excitement for what he is doing.
“He is my biggest source of encouragement. He is my biggest
fan. He is obviously incredibly biased, but he understands me,” Poulson said.
Now, Poulson is focusing on the development of the Chrony Comics. This section runs every Wednesday in
The Chronicle. It is a compilation of student-submitted comics gathered throughout the week.
“There are a lot of talented artists here, and this is a way to give them a little recognition,” Poulson said. The compilation is part of his goal to make the newspaper more student-oriented.
Readers can find Poulson’s contribution to the Chrony Comics in a comic titled, “Kief.”