Dressed as a 6 foot 3 inch “butterfly” emerging from a “cocoon,” Karl Antonsson was the hit of Geography staff’s sustainable costume competition with Earth Research Institute staff in May 2012. Just over 2 years later, our Student Programs Manager “butterfly” is leaving his staff job cocoon for real, and he will be sorely missed.
When Karl first joined Geography staff, he stated that, during his college search, he was instantly attracted to the UCSB campus because of the warm climate and even warmer community, and he spent the next four years working towards degrees in both Psychology and Southeast Religious Studies. Karl felt so much at home at UCSB that he decided to stay on campus for work as well, and he was hired as the Undergraduate Assistant for the Geography Department in May 2012. Karl said that he was “drawn to the department by the extremely friendly staff and faculty who have been making him feel right at home.” As someone who hopes to go on to become a professor one day, Karl also stated that he was “delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with students and faculty in a rigorous academic environment.”
In January 2014, Jose Saleta left his job as Geography’s Student Programs Manager because of “an offer he couldn’t refuse,” and Karl took over that position, at least temporarily. As of June 21, 2014, Karl will be spreading his wings and travelling abroad, eventually living in Taiwan with his girlfriend. Staff arranged a small tribute to Karl on his last day, and he commented: “Thank you all so much for the wonderful breakfast and card this morning! You all made my last day at UCSB very special. I’ve really enjoyed my time here in the department and am so grateful that I’ve gotten to work alongside such fantastic people. I’ll do my best to stay in touch and hopefully send some goodies your way from across the sea!”
