Got an unexpected e-mail the other day:

"Dear Daily Cardinal Alumni,

"In preparation for the May 13, 2000 Alumni Awards Dinner, I am collecting alumni nominees for the Daily Cardinal Alumni Association's four awards. Award descriptions and previous winners are listed below. I have included the nominations that I have received to date and welcome your comments:

"WILLIAM WESLEY YOUNG AWARD

"This award, named after the Cardinal's founder, recognizes a former Cardinal staff member who has been off the staff for at least five years and has enjoyed early prominence in a profession related to Cardinal staff work. A recipient must show promise for future accomplishment in his or her field.

1999 recipient: Anthony Shadid

"2000 nominees:

Nathan Brackett, arts editor in 1990, is an associate editor with Rolling Stone.

Scott Dikkers, a graphic artist in the 1980s, is now president and editor in chief of The Onion.

Abby Goldman, campus editor from 1990-91, is now a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, who worked as part of Pulitzer Prize winning reporting team.

Peter Kafka, campus editor from 1991-92, is a reporter for Forbes magazine.

John Kovalic, graphics editor from 1986-87, is an artist for the Wisconsin State Journal and creator of "Wildlife" and "Dork Tower."

Stephen Thompson, a former Cardinal writer and supervisor between 1990-92, is entertainment and copy editor for The Onion.

Daniel Vebber, graphics editor in 1991, is now a staff writer for the series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

What can I say, save for I'm honored, humbled, and look forward to losing to Scott Dikkers, Abby Goldman or the others enormously.

Who Won?