Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Student ready to graduate after 13 years in college
By Julie Becker
Daily News staff writer
The college years are the best years of your life. The phrase rolls off Johnny Lechner's tongue as if it's his personal motto. And, in fact, why shouldn't it be? His life has exuded the very idea for the past 13 years.
The 30-year-old University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student first enrolled there in 1994 and has been attending classes full time ever since, and his lengthy undergraduate lifestyle has earned him the national media attention, and book and TV show deals, to prove his time there has certainly been worth it.
Despite the perks of college life, though, Lechner has finally decided to trade in his toga for a college diploma, as he puts it. He's set to walk across the stage, clad in cap and gown, on May 19. With no regrets so far, he feels prepared to tackle the future.
“I 100 percent believe I've done everything there is to do with the college years. I've basically had a law created because of me, I've gotten national attention, I'm working on a series of books about the college years,” the confident co-ed says. “I've been to Europe, Africa, gone on a dozen spring breaks, and traveled across the nation. I'm just kind of excited for a new challenge.”
Not that college has been easy. Lechner has more than 300 credits and will graduate as a quadruple major, triple minor, with areas of emphasis in theater, communications, liberal studies, health, education, women's studies and social work.
While he's been characterized by some as a party-going slacker and even an embarrassment to UW-Whitewater - it's been said he is to blame for a law passed by the Wisconsin Legislature in 2004 that essentially doubles tuition for students with more than 165 credits - Lechner insists his college stint has been an out-of-pocket experience, just as much about the academic side as the social aspects.
“I just think it's funny when people do complain about me going to school all these years, because they have no idea what the facts are. I could understand if I was going out and getting drunk seven days a week, but I'm not,” he said.
“I'm working on my music, studying, being productive at the same time,” he said. “Toga parties are fun and I will miss the late-night streaking, but the academic side is fun, too - I like learning.”
More than anything else, Lechner's off-the-beaten-path college career has been about following his heart, he added.
Although he's seen plenty of friends come and go over the years and grow up before his very eyes - getting jobs, getting married, buying houses and even having kids - he doesn't envy their lifestyles, he said.
“People are in such a rush and they think they've got all the answers. But, you know what, you're going to be living for a very long time. You're going to be working for a very long time,” he said. “I don't think a lot of people are brave enough to follow their heart and say, OK, I want to stay in school. I was never doing this because people wanted me to or didn't want me to. This is what I wanted.”
Although Lechner's options are wide open - he has received dozens of job offers, is planning to work on the production of his sixth CD and sees travel opportunities in the near future as well - he's not quite as sure what he wants to do with his future. But he's confident he'll enjoy the ride.
“I think I get accused of being young at heart all the time, and I get accused of being somebody who lives for moment, lives for the day and likes to have fun, and I admit that,” he said. “That's what it's all about - finding something you love to do and doing it.”
College By the Numbers
2... Number of classes Johnny has accidentally taken twice.
5... Number of CDs he has produced as a musician, with another on the way.
20... Number of parties he aims to throw per semester.
32... Number of different roommates he's had over the years.
53... Number of seconds his longest keg stand was.
70... Number of job offers he estimates he's received in the past year.
104... Number of final exams he estimates he's taken.
120... Number of term papers he's written.
300+... Number of credits he's earned.
For more information on Johnny Lechner, visit his Web site at www.johnnylechner.com.
The 30-year-old University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student first enrolled there in 1994 and has been attending classes full time ever since, and his lengthy undergraduate lifestyle has earned him the national media attention, and book and TV show deals, to prove his time there has certainly been worth it.
Despite the perks of college life, though, Lechner has finally decided to trade in his toga for a college diploma, as he puts it. He's set to walk across the stage, clad in cap and gown, on May 19. With no regrets so far, he feels prepared to tackle the future.
“I 100 percent believe I've done everything there is to do with the college years. I've basically had a law created because of me, I've gotten national attention, I'm working on a series of books about the college years,” the confident co-ed says. “I've been to Europe, Africa, gone on a dozen spring breaks, and traveled across the nation. I'm just kind of excited for a new challenge.”
Not that college has been easy. Lechner has more than 300 credits and will graduate as a quadruple major, triple minor, with areas of emphasis in theater, communications, liberal studies, health, education, women's studies and social work.
While he's been characterized by some as a party-going slacker and even an embarrassment to UW-Whitewater - it's been said he is to blame for a law passed by the Wisconsin Legislature in 2004 that essentially doubles tuition for students with more than 165 credits - Lechner insists his college stint has been an out-of-pocket experience, just as much about the academic side as the social aspects.
“I just think it's funny when people do complain about me going to school all these years, because they have no idea what the facts are. I could understand if I was going out and getting drunk seven days a week, but I'm not,” he said.
“I'm working on my music, studying, being productive at the same time,” he said. “Toga parties are fun and I will miss the late-night streaking, but the academic side is fun, too - I like learning.”
More than anything else, Lechner's off-the-beaten-path college career has been about following his heart, he added.
Although he's seen plenty of friends come and go over the years and grow up before his very eyes - getting jobs, getting married, buying houses and even having kids - he doesn't envy their lifestyles, he said.
“People are in such a rush and they think they've got all the answers. But, you know what, you're going to be living for a very long time. You're going to be working for a very long time,” he said. “I don't think a lot of people are brave enough to follow their heart and say, OK, I want to stay in school. I was never doing this because people wanted me to or didn't want me to. This is what I wanted.”
Although Lechner's options are wide open - he has received dozens of job offers, is planning to work on the production of his sixth CD and sees travel opportunities in the near future as well - he's not quite as sure what he wants to do with his future. But he's confident he'll enjoy the ride.
“I think I get accused of being young at heart all the time, and I get accused of being somebody who lives for moment, lives for the day and likes to have fun, and I admit that,” he said. “That's what it's all about - finding something you love to do and doing it.”
College By the Numbers
2... Number of classes Johnny has accidentally taken twice.
5... Number of CDs he has produced as a musician, with another on the way.
20... Number of parties he aims to throw per semester.
32... Number of different roommates he's had over the years.
53... Number of seconds his longest keg stand was.
70... Number of job offers he estimates he's received in the past year.
104... Number of final exams he estimates he's taken.
120... Number of term papers he's written.
300+... Number of credits he's earned.
For more information on Johnny Lechner, visit his Web site at www.johnnylechner.com.
 |
 |
|
| Gunderson new boss in Clinton | Stateline Area News in Brief |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
Submit a Comment
Login below to post your comment. |
Not yet a member? Use the form below to register. |
