It’s the end of the academic year again! For some that means a vacation, for others it means summer classes and for seniors it means next steps.
Whatever those steps are, continue to enjoy your last few weeks at the university. Don’t forget the experiences that made you who you are and embrace the future-as uncertain as it may be.
As The Campus reflects on the academic year, I’m also looking back at the past four years, which I mostly spent in a fun, messy, exciting, exhausting, rewarding place called “the Newsroom.”
I don’t think it has actually hit me yet that this is the end of my time with Student Publications.
I joined as a freshman because I knew I wanted to be a journalist, but I felt completely out of my element. I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to go about writing my first story, and I generally felt a little lost initially. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I enjoyed doing it.
Throughout the years, I’ve grown much more than I ever imagined, all because of the people I’ve worked with. I can’t thank them enough for helping make me a much better, more confident writer, journalist and leader.
I’m lucky to have been named editor-in-chief my sophomore year, even though I was terrified. The responsibilities of the publications, the management of the staff, the extra hours-they all seemed overwhelming and unachievable, but I’m deeply honored to have served as editor for more than two years. Though there were some mistakes along the way, I’m proud of what I accomplished and the skills I gained. I’m even more proud to have the staff I’ve had. Few things would get done without such amazing talent, work ethic and dedication.
All of the editors I’ve worked with are hardworking and driven, often doing work that goes unrecognized by most of the campus. We’ve been through a lot and had to endure many hardships together, but we’re stronger because of everything we’ve experienced.
The editors have become some of my closest friends. One of my favorite memories of the past four years was when they surprised me by decorating the Newsroom for my birthday. Associate Editor Sage Tokach and Photo Editor Elina Moon even made me a cake that looked like the front page of The Campus.
It feels good to almost be finished with college, but it’s bittersweet to know I’ll be gone soon. It feels like I’ll be leaving my family in a few weeks.
This academic year probably has been the most difficult, with so much hard breaking news to cover like racial profiling claims, abduction attempts and a student’s death. But I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished. We’ve stayed true to our mission to “inform, entertain and serve” the campus community, despite pushback from some students and administrators. We’ve continued to tell stories that matter and are important to the campus community, like the selection of a new university president or a student stuck in a falling elevator. I’m proud that some of our coverage has even inspired officials to respond or take action.
It’s empowering to know that what we do matters and that Student Publications is able to improve the lives of students and the campus community. Even though my time as the editor-in-chief is coming to an end, I’m confident that the rest of the team will continue what we’ve started, improve on it and continue providing the campus with information and entertainment.
Thank you to our readers for picking up a copy of The Campus each week, for reading MediaOCU.com and for supporting Student Publications.
Thank you to all the students and officials who have allowed me to interview them and tell their stories. Thank you specifically to Police Chief Jennifer Rodgers, whom I’ve only known a short time but has been one of the easiest campus officials to work with by far.
Thank you to our staff for dedicating your time and talent.
Thank you to the editors for working hard and staying dedicated in what is often a thankless job.
Thank you to our adviser, Kenna Griffin, for keeping us on our toes, supporting our team, helping us grow, and pushing us to improve. Thank you, personally, for being a mentor and helping me hone so many skills I never thought I’d have.
Most importantly, thank you to all of the people who criticize Student Publications, to every official who refuses to comment and to everyone who calls us names behind our backs. Not only have you pushed me to be a better journalist, a better citizen and a better person, but you have further empowered our staff to continue searching for truth.
The past four years have been so rewarding because of Student Publications. I wish I could do it all over again.
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