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10 Within 10 Recognition

Tom Kauffman '06, M.A. '08

Major: Broadcast and Cinematic Arts
His job: Writer and producer of “Rick and Morty,” Cartoon Network, Los Angeles. The animated series follows the exploits of a super scientist and his not-so-bright grandson.

What is your fondest memory of CMU? 

The all-nighters we’d pull in the Moore 119 editing bays before an MHTV deadline. My friend Scott once discovered Red Bull mispriced at Ric’s, so he bought them out and walked into Moore Hall like Taurine Santa Claus. 

How would your former roommates or classmates remember you?

As an ambitious jerk with perpetual car problems.

What has been your coolest moment since graduation? 

In 2013, seeing my name as the “written by” credit during the third episode of “Rick and Morty.”

What advice would you give to new graduates? 

You’ll get lucky slower or faster than other people and in different proportions. So what? There’s no timetable for anything except being a professional basketball player, maybe. Are you trying to be a professional basketball player? Then chill out, be nice to everyone, and recognize we’ve all been addicted to sugar since childhood and that they don’t even tell you the percent daily value in the nutrition facts because it’d be like 7,000 percent.

What has your work life taught you?

Your job, even if it’s a great job, should occupy a portion of your life smaller than the portion dedicated to preserving your mental and physical health. Because one day your job is going to make you wonder, “What if I became a yoga instructor?”